Reporter Confronts Romanian Beggar Gang at Marble Arch
A gang of Romanian organised beggars has set up camp near Marble Arch in London, engaging in drinking, gambling, and littering, according to a Daily Express investigation. Despite being moved on by police, members of the gang, believed to be led by convicted criminal Iliuta Gruia, quickly returned to their original spot or moved just metres away.
Reporter Toby Codd visited the makeshift camp on Thursday, July 16, to confront the beggars and attempt to track down Gruia, who has a restraining order in his home country for threatening to kill children. Although the ringleader was absent, Codd witnessed the group's operations firsthand.
Behaviour Described as Insulting to Londoners and Police
Some gang members sat in the shadows of Marble Arch, drinking and littering, while others begged outside shops on Oxford Street. Previous visits had seen them gambling with large wads of cash. Codd noted that within 20 minutes of sitting on a bench, he smelled marijuana and heard intimidating shouting among the Romanian gang.
"Not only is their behaviour insulting to the people of London, and also visitors to our iconic city, but also to the hardworking officers of the Metropolitan Police," Codd wrote.
Police Action Met with Defiance
Codd observed police moving on a group of three women, who acted respectfully but then moved about 50 metres away and continued their nuisance behaviour. When confronted by Codd and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, the women claimed not to speak English, but one muttered something in Romanian as they turned away.
Another gang member abandoned a trolley full of bulging black bin bags under Marble Arch as hundreds of tourists walked by, marring the iconic landmark.
Anti-Social Behaviour and Alleged Wealth
The beggars have transformed the corner at Marble Arch and a section of Oxford Street near the flagship Marks & Spencer store into an area of intimidation and anti-social behaviour. They drink in the streets despite a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prohibiting it, and leave litter on footpaths and flowerbeds.
Although many claim to be homeless, Codd saw one woman eating a whole rotisserie chicken from M&S alongside other snacks, while another man strolled with an open litre bottle of Disaronno. Others have been spotted gambling with large amounts of cash, and ringleader Gruia has boasted about his money on social media.
Call for Permanent Action
Codd concluded: "The gang are currently a stain on the amazing city of London and something needs to be done to move them on permanently. They're not vulnerable beggars; they're organised and dangerous."
