An unauthorised migrant encampment that had blighted one of London's most historic addresses has been dismantled in a major police operation. The makeshift shanty town, situated on a small strip of land beside the Grade I-listed Apsley House at Hyde Park Corner, was home to a group of Eastern European and African migrants and had been a source of significant local complaint for around a year.
Dawn Raid Ends Longstanding Encampment
In an early morning operation on Tuesday, approximately 30 Metropolitan Police officers descended on the site in six vans. Assisted by workers from Westminster Council, they began the process of removing tents and makeshift shelters. A dustbin lorry was present to dispose of the cleared materials.
Eyewitnesses described the occupants as looking 'very shocked' and 'fuming' at being told to move on. One told the Daily Mail the clearance came as a 'huge surprise' to the residents, who had likely expected to remain for several more weeks. Another local welcomed the action, stating the camp had caused 'absolute misery' and thanking the media for highlighting the issue.
History and Heritage Overshadowed by Disorder
Apsley House, built in the 1770s and known as the home of the first Duke of Wellington, is currently the residence of Charles Wellesley, the 80-year-old current Duke and a descendant of Queen Victoria. The property, which also operates as a museum run by English Heritage, sits in a prestigious location overlooking Hyde Park and the five-star Intercontinental Hotel.
However, its surroundings had been severely impacted by the growing encampment. Local reports detailed issues of public urination, defecation, and thefts. The situation had escalated in recent weeks, with police making several arrests at the site. Last month, a 23-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill other tent dwellers. In a separate disturbance, a 48-year-old man was found in possession of a knife and glass, and a 33-year-old man was detained for fighting and making threats.
A Wider Pattern of Urban Encampments
The clearance at Hyde Park Corner is not an isolated incident in central London. The site is just minutes from the former Park Lane homeless camp, which was dismantled after seven years only to reopen 400 yards away. Similarly, long lines of tents have recently appeared housing homeless migrants along Tottenham Court Road.
The operation marks the end of a protracted problem for the area, but it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing urban homelessness and migrant encampments in the capital. For now, the immediate vicinity of one of Britain's most iconic historic homes has been restored, much to the relief of local businesses and residents who had long campaigned for action.
