Business group calls meeting on ‘rough sleeping’ and ‘anti-social behaviour’

An organisation which provides services to the largest businesses in Fitzrovia has called a meeting about “the rise in rough sleeping” in the neighbourhood, and is inviting local people to attend.

The Fitzrovia Partnership (TFP), which runs two business improvement districts and a team of street wardens, has convened the meeting which will be held at the American International Church on Tottenham Court Road.

“You may have noticed a rise in rough sleeping in our neighbourhood,” states an announcement on the TFP’s website.

“What is being done to help those who cannot find adequate housing? How can people of goodwill respond in ways that are compassionate? What resources are available? What is happening with the tent encampments that have come up on the road?” states an invitation to attend the meeting.

However, the invitation then goes on to make a number of broad allegations associated with people sleeping on the streets.

“In addition, there has also been a rise in anti-social behaviour. Incidents of street harassment, rubbish, urination or defecation on the street, blocked access and other concerns have risen. How can we work to stop these inappropriate behaviours to keep the streets safe and open to all? Who do you contact for help addressing these various issues, and how do you reach them?”

TFP says the point of the meeting is “an effort to build relationships and help us respond together”.

Those due to attend the meeting include representatives from Camden Council, the Metropolitan Police, and local charities supporting people sleeping rough.

“Reports will be shared on actions already underway, public and community resources available and there will be time for conversation and input on how you can help,” states the invitation.

The meeting comes less than a year after Camden Council and the Metropolitan Police forcibly removed homeless people’s tents from outside University College Hospital in Huntley Street. The incident was widely condemned and Camden Council later issued a public apology for its involvement.

Last week Camden Council published a report which declared that its rough sleeping services were “working well” — a statement that was criticised by homelessness support group Streets Kitchen.

Jen Clark of human rights group Amnesty International told the Camden New Journal that it was “alarmed to learn the criminalisation of rough sleeping in Camden continues”.

However, in the report presented to councillors, officers stated there is “not enough funding and resource in Camden to tackle the current levels of rough sleeping” and that this has created “existential risks” for Camden’s support programme.

Between April 2023 and March 2024 outreach workers in Camden made contact with 903 people sleeping on the streets across the borough. In neighbouring Westminster, 2,102 people were seen.

Community Meeting on Rough Sleeping and Antisocial Behaviour in Fitzrovia, 6.30pm, Tuesday 30 July 2024 at The American International Church, 79A Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD.