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Homeless tents destroyed during Met Police operation

The tents being thrown into the back of a Veolia refuse lorry. Credit: Streets Kitchen

Homeless people's tents in central London have been destroyed during a Met Police operation.

Refuse workers threw the tents into the back of their lorry on Huntley Street, Camden, at about 15:00 GMT on Friday.

Elodie Berland, who volunteers with outreach organisation Streets Kitchen, recorded the scene after being called there by some of the homeless men.

The Met said it "worked with University College London Hospital and other partners in response to concerns".

It is understood that the NHS hospital trust, which has a building entrance on the road, requested the dispersal of rough sleepers but not the destruction of tents.

Refuse company Veolia was contacted for comment.

Pat Callaghan, acting leader of Camden Council said she has ordered an "urgent investigation into what happened".

Mariam Issimdar/BBC Image showing a police van parked on the street, with multiple officers presentMariam Issimdar/BBC
A police van attended the scene before tents were removed

Ms Berland, Camden resident and Streets Kitchen volunteer of six years, said the homeless men "had everything taken away from them".

She said that about 10 tents were destroyed along with the men's personal belongings as the Met issued a S35 dispersal order, which requires people to vacate an area for a maximum of 48 hours.

'We tried everything'

"It felt like it wasn't a possibility to stop them," the 49-year-old told BBC London. "We were trying to repeat their rights over and over again. I felt like we tried everything we could try."

A spokesperson for the Met Police said that one man was arrested for breach of a S35 dispersal order and was taken into police custody.

They added that "partner organisations" are providing support "to those affected".

Jon Glackin, founder of Streets Kitchen, said that homelessness is "just getting worse" in Camden.

Mariam Issimdar/BBC Image showing a female officer bent down talking to someone inside a tent on the streetMariam Issimdar/BBC
Officers could be seen talking to people inside before the tents were taken away

"Who in their right mind would throw their personal belongings in the skip," he said. "The criminalisation of homelessness is just ridiculous."

The 53-year-old added that Friday's incident was "far from the first time we have seen this".

He said the organisation wants to see a "constructive community response" following the incident, and is co-hosting a public meeting at St Michael's Church on Camden Road, on Thursday, with local organisations.

Ms Callaghan, of Camden Council said she was "deeply concerned" by the video.

"Nothing is more important to us than the welfare, safety, and rights of every person who is experiencing homelessness," she said.

Abi Lewis/BBC Barriers were placed along the side of the building after the homeless people were instructed to leaveAbi Lewis/BBC
Barriers were placed along the side of the building after the homeless people were instructed to leave

"I'm also concerned that our contracted waste operator has been engaged in this operation and I will be personally looking into why this has happened."

A University College London Hospital (UCLH) spokesperson said "public health concerns" prompted the action.

They added: "UCLH is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of homeless people and we provide a number of services for this vulnerable group."

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