TfL spends £113k to crack down on rough sleepers

Several tents and items pictured at an encampment at Park Lane in London Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon

An encampment of rough sleepers at Park Lane

Ben Lynch
Local Democracy Reporter

Transport for London (TfL) has spent more than £113,000 in three months on a security firm hired to prevent rough sleepers returning to Park Lane.

TfL hired the firm - which is understood to be MEC Security - this summer after an encampment of rough sleepers was removed from the site.

The transport body said that between July and September it spent £113,365 on security at Park Lane.

A spokesperson said people rough sleeping were told they would be removed, and that Westminster City Council's outreach teams could provide support.

A black and yellow security car parked on a strip of grass at Park Lane. LDRS

A security car at Park Lane

Conservative West End councillor Tim Barnes said it was "sad" that such a large sum of money had been spent, but added that it was necessary because of the "disastrous impact" of past encampments.

While located in one of the most expensive districts in Westminster - and the whole of London - the patch of land running down the middle of Park Lane is managed by TfL rather than the local council.

The issue of rough sleeping in the area goes back at least a decade.

In May, the authority secured a court order to remove a large encampment opposite the Hilton by Hyde Park Corner.

Several businesses said they were frustrated by people from the encampment approaching customers, including a nearby restaurateur who said all they wanted to do was "get rid of them" because "it's not good for the area".

A TfL spokesperson said security staff had been hired to patrol the area to discourage people from returning. Journalism site London Centric later revealed the security firm hired was MEC Security.

TfL would not disclose how long the security firm was expected to patrol the area, although ongoing plans will take into account the need to stop people from returning.

An encampment of tents outside the London Hilton at Park Lane. Getty Images

Tents have appeared repeatedly, some near the Hilton in Park Lane

The council said Westminster had more people sleeping rough than any other part of the country, and welcomed additional funding from the government to help tackle the issue.

Barnes, from the council said the mayor and council "should get their act together" to reduce the numbers of rough sleepers in the area.

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