EXCLUSIVE: Locals have described seeing rodents rummaging around piles of litter that have been strewn across the site which is outside a major train station.
Residents living close to a sprawling London tent city have been left feeling intimidated by groups of men as their pleas to authorities go unanswered. An overpass outside Warren Street station has seen an explosion in the number of tents erected alongside it, with as many as 50 now in situ despite the protestations of residents.
It is a sight that in many ways sums up the current state of the nation, with the splendour of times past contrasted with dirt and deprivation. Once the destination for world-famous musicians, writers and artists, the area, where house prices average £1.2million, has become home to a city of people largely forgotten by society, where those broken by substance abuse live alongside migrants who have recently entered the country illegally. Tents in various states of repair lie two abreast in parts, as occupants vie for real estate between the vast piles of rubbish, with food, alcohol and human waste all strewn between the makeshift accommodation that some are forced to call home.
As many as 50 tents are now in place, with some double stacked on the pavement (Image: w8media)
Residents have complained of extreme levels of rubbish in and around the site (Image: w8media)
Despite the attraction to vermin which locals say now runs wild, they allege the council and Transport for London have done nothing to address the situation.
Elderly resident Anne-Marie who lives round the corner and has “led to the charge” to have the camp removed, told the Daily Express that a small presence since before the pandemic has snowballed rapidly in recent months. She said: “The first ones appeared there and it was disgusting with rubbish piled high, but the council did actually do something about that.
“But those here now encourage other people to join and the council has done nothing to stop it.”
She added: “The litter and the filth is such a huge problem, attracting foxes and rats but it can also be extremely intimidating
“Particularly when the chaps are hovering around the station, they can be quite intimidating at night, especially for women on their own.”
Locals report a handful of tents appearing before the pandemic, but say that the current site is around ten times the size.
Residents have called on the council and TfL to do more (Image: w8media)
A man begging nearby, who lives in the tent city, said arriving in Britain was like ‘Christmas’ (Image: w8media)
Those living within the encampment admit to arriving in the country via small boat crossings in the past year.
One man from Bulgaria, who begs outside across the road from the camp adjacent to the tube station, said that it felt like Christmas when he finally made it to the UK.
Speaking in broken English, he described Britain as a “dream” destination for him and his neighbours in the tent city who are predominantly of Bulgarian and Romanian descent.
He added: “Britain is very good. Where I am from, there is no money, nothing.”
But life within the camp site is perilous and dangerous.
One man, who gave his name is Igor and said he arrived via a small boat crossing two months ago, said fights and violence happen “all the time.”
The aspiring bricklayer said: “Yes, there are lots of fights, all the time. This is not a good place to live but we have nowhere else.”
Igor refused to say if he had applied for asylum given his recent entry into the country and the potential to be taken off of the streets and into a hotel while his claim was processed.
The Daily Express has approached Transport for London and Camden Council for comment.
