Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called for members of an organised begging gang to be deported if they are found guilty of criminality, after joining the Express in confronting the perpetrators in central London. The MP for Croydon South accompanied reporters on a visit to the gang's camp at Marble Arch on Thursday afternoon, July 16.
Gang's Activities and Alleged Ringleader
The gang of Romanian organised beggars continues to operate near Marble Arch, drinking alcohol, gambling, and littering the streets. They are believed to be led by convicted criminal Iliuta Gruia, who has a restraining order in his home country for threatening to kill children. Gruia was not present during the visit, and gang members—who also pitched tents in Park Lane last year—denied knowing him.
Mr Philp said: "They are organised criminals and, frankly, if they're committing crimes, they should be deported. When I confronted Iliuta Gruia with your colleague Zak [Garner-Purkis], about a year ago, he became extremely aggressive and since then it's been found out that he's an organised gangster in Romania."
Legal Changes and Enforcement
After some members were moved on by police, Mr Philp asked officers to confirm whether the Vagrancy Act 1824 had been repealed. They confirmed it had; as of June 29, rough sleeping and begging in England and Wales are no longer illegal. The centuries-old law was scrapped as part of the Labour government's National Plan to End Homelessness.
Mr Philp is calling for the criminalisation of rough sleeping and begging, stating: "Personally, I think it should just be illegal and there should be no exceptions. When the government made that change, and repealed the 1824 act without properly replacing it, that was something I did not agree with."
Displacement and Community Impact
The group was moved on by police on Thursday, but several women relocated just a stone's throw away to the other side of Marble Arch, while others returned to the same spot after police left. Some were spotted moving trollies full of belongings in black bin bags, guzzling bottles of beer, and kicking empty cans. A flowerbed near Marble Arch was littered with rubbish.
Mr Philp said: "While police have just moved some of them on, that's just shifted the problem further down the road. They've left all of their rubbish here behind us."
Police officers insisted they are dealing with reported anti-social behaviour and nuisance, calling on the public to report crimes or violent behaviour.
Local Business Concerns
It is believed the gang sleeps outside the flagship Marks & Spencer store on Oxford Street before moving to Marble Arch during the day. Shops in the area have reported issues this week. A security guard at Foot Locker told the Express that some linger outside begging, but he is not allowed to move them on. He also claimed one stole a phone from a nearby shop on Tuesday, July 14.
Ringleader Gruia was exposed following an Express investigation revealing his previous restraining order for threatening to kill children. He was photographed gambling at the site earlier this week. Gang members shown pictures of Gruia claimed never to have seen him, despite Express photos showing him at the camp on the corner of Oxford Street.
Council Response
Cllr David Harvey, cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Westminster Council, said: "We continue to encourage those at the site to relocate and move away from rough sleeping and offer support for them to do that. Where that help is persistently declined—and the individuals involved cause anti-social behaviour and unlawfully occupy these spaces—we will take appropriate enforcement action. Westminster's streets, parks and public spaces need to be safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone."
