Rough sleeping has continued at the Marble Arch encampment despite ongoing efforts by Westminster City Council and Transport for London to address it, the Daily Mail has reported. Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Housing at Westminster City Council, said the council has "a duty both to support vulnerable people and to protect the wider public," adding that while help will continue to be offered to anyone sleeping rough, "compassion cannot mean accepting behaviour that makes public spaces feel unsafe or inaccessible to others," and that the council will take action where support is refused or public spaces are unlawfully occupied.
Cllr Caroline Sargent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said there was "no place" for antisocial behaviour, drug abuse or crime in London, adding that while the council is "doing our part" to address the issue, it expects "a tougher approach from the police" and is calling on the Home Office to back new legislation.
Transport for London said it was working closely with the Metropolitan Police to monitor the site and had made clear to previous occupants that returning was not an option. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the Government was investing over £442 million to provide routes off the streets this winter, including long-term accommodation and specialist support. Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged an additional £340 million towards ending rough sleeping when he took office last month.
Rough sleeper washes his feet in Marble Arch fountain yards from high-end hotels as homeless camps take over London's most recognisable sights
Councillor David Harvey, cabinet member for housing at Westminster Council, said of the situation in Marble Arch:
"We have a duty both to support vulnerable people and to protect the wider public.
"We will continue to offer help to anyone sleeping rough, but compassion cannot mean accepting behaviour that makes public spaces feel unsafe or inaccessible to others.
"Where support is refused and people are unlawfully occupying public spaces or causing antisocial behaviour, we will take action.
"Westminster's parks, streets and public spaces are there for everyone, and residents are entitled to expect them to be safe, clean and welcoming.
'Most people who are sleeping rough need support, and we will continue to offer it. But Westminster cannot allow a situation where a small number of people repeatedly refuse help and create problems for everyone else.'
Councillor Caroline Sargent, deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement at Westminster, added there was 'no place' for 'antisocial behaviour, drug abuse, and crime' in London.
"As a council, we're doing our part in trying to move people who are harming our public spaces.
"But we expect a tougher approach from the police, and we need the Home Office to back us up with new legislation to keep our streets safe for residents and visitors."
You can read Francine Wolfisz's article for the Daily Mail in full on their website.
