Croydon, South London
2018 June 10
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Romanian Beggars "flooding" London: Eastern European migrants started arrived in London in "unprecedented" numbers in 2012 just before the Olympic games- flooding the capital with beggars, pickpockets and prostitutes before the Olympics, officials have warned.
Organised crime gangs are believed to be transporting coach loads of Romanians into the country with instructions to work a pre-allocated "pitch". Some are understood to have come armed with Google Map print-outs of Marble Arch, which has drawn crowds of rough sleepers in recent weeks.
Westminster councellor Nickie Aiken, spokeswoman for children, young people and community protection, said: "The reality is that coach transport into London represents an immigration sieve.
"There are no effective border controls on those coming into the UK and making their way to Victoria coach station and we are paying the price of that with a sudden influx of eastern European rough sleepers - especially Romanians - around Marble Arch."
Those being brought into the country are believed to have been lured with the promise of a better future, but they soon end up with no jobs or homes.
"This is being systematically organised from Romania and those running this cynical racket are the only ones who profit from it," Ms Aiken added.
