Migrant and Addict Encampment Transforms Town Car Park into 'No-Go Zone'

A multi-storey car park in Reading has become a makeshift home for at least a dozen homeless migrants and individuals struggling with drug addiction, transforming the previously functional space into a no-go area for shoppers and local professionals. The Civic B Car Park, a council-run facility in the prosperous south-eastern town, now features tents and scattered belongings across its concrete floors, with drug paraphernalia and waste frequently found near vehicles.

The situation has led to shopper complaints about safety and the condition of the car park, with one driver reporting an attempted car break-in. "Someone tried to break into my car with a concrete block," the driver, Danny Chilvers, stated on social media. "I called and there's no CCTV around apparently, police contacted. Be a bit cautious parking here."

Among the inhabitants is Richard Okine, 33, who has been living in the car park for nearly three years after losing his life savings in a romance scam. Okine, originally from Ghana, stated he came to the UK legally on a family visa and has pre-settled status, but struggles to access housing or public funds without indefinite status. He described the conditions as tough, citing instances of theft of blankets and violent incidents, including a recent report of an ear being nearly severed in an altercation. Okine also admitted to heroin addiction and the temptation of shoplifting for income, while lamenting the difficulty of maintaining hygiene and finding safe showering facilities.

"I think the Government could do much more to help people in this situation," Okine said. "There should be some kind of support, or jobs that people can simply walk into and start working, even if they’re struggling with addiction."

Another resident, James Johnson, 41, a former retail worker who relocated from west London, described the situation as "horrible" but acknowledged the ease of accessing drugs within the encampment. "It's horrible but what can you do. We've got a system set up here and it's easy to find what you want, drugs and whatever," Johnson stated.

Reading Borough Council has posted notices around the site stating it is "not suitable" for habitation but has not deterred the growing number of occupants. The council states its commissioned outreach team, St Mungo’s, regularly engages with individuals at the site to offer accommodation and support. This includes services like the Rough Sleeping Initiatives Team, winter shelters, and supported accommodation projects offering over 270 bed spaces. The council also activates a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) when temperatures drop below zero for three consecutive nights, providing emergency accommodation to anyone sleeping rough.

"The Council would emphasise however that despite accommodation being available and being offered, it is unfortunately not always taken up by people sleeping rough," a council spokesman noted. The council also stated it does not advocate for dedicated areas for rough sleepers due to safety risks and the potential to normalize rough sleeping.

Nationally, figures from the government indicate a significant increase in homelessness. An estimated 4,793 people were sleeping rough on a single night in autumn, a 171 per cent increase since 2010. More recent statistics revealed an estimated 8,748 people slept rough at some point during June, the highest number recorded for that month. Additionally, 135,580 households were living in temporary accommodation at the end of March, including 177,530 children.

In Reading specifically, the council recorded 43 rough sleepers in November 2025, a slight increase from 42 the previous year. The encampment in Civic B Car Park has drawn comparisons to similar "shanty towns" reported in other car parks across the UK, such as Nottingham and Gloucester, with such sites often being favored for their dryness, security, and central locations.