Affluent Grosvenor Gardens in London has become a makeshift shelter for dozens of rough sleepers, drawing complaints from local businesses and tourists. The square, situated near Victoria Station and The Goring Hotel, a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has seen tents and sleeping bags occupy its green spaces and public amenities.
Shopkeepers and hotel staff report instances of aggressive behavior, theft, and unsanitary conditions. Bally Singh, owner of the off-licence Charles of Belgravia, stated that homeless individuals allegedly broke into his shop and stole over £1,000 worth of alcohol and cigarettes, causing significant damage.
Other businesses have reported daily thefts of produce, ice cream, and food deliveries, leading to financial losses and disruptions. Hotel staff mentioned difficulties in managing guests' use of restrooms and preventing individuals from sleeping in doorways, citing aggressive encounters.
Varundi, a hotel receptionist, described a situation where a booked hotel room could not be used for a week after a homeless individual urinated inside and stole linens. Bianca, another staff member, noted an increase in people loitering and taking items like sugar packets.
Mary, a server at a burger restaurant, highlighted that Fridays and weekends are particularly challenging, with instances of individuals grabbing food orders ready for takeout, causing delays and necessitating apologies to customers.
Cafe workers have also reported instances of theft, with one barista detailing being punched by a homeless person attempting to steal food. The barista noted that police response times can be slow for non-knife related incidents, and that staff, particularly younger women, sometimes feel intimidated.
Westminster City Council acknowledged the issue, with Cllr Caroline Sargent stating that local residents and businesses are frustrated. The council reported spending £8 million annually on support services for rough sleepers, including hostels and addiction treatment. Sargent emphasized the need for a multi-agency approach involving immigration, police, and businesses, and called for urgent support from the Home Office to address both rough sleeping and anti-social behavior.
The Metropolitan Police reported that new technology has been implemented to combat retail crime, quadrupling the number of shoplifters brought to justice in the capital by allowing retailers to submit evidence directly to officers for faster action.