Five Brent parks were checked for tents and temporary accomodation as part of an operation tackling rough sleeping in the borough.
The scheme spearheaded by Brent Council, in partnership with the police, UK Borders Agency, Veolia, the council’s cleaning contractors, and rough sleeping charity Ashford Place, was set up to address the influx in economic migrant rough sleepers.
Four shelters were found in The Welsh Harp in Neasden, and one structure was discovered in Roe Green and Fryent Country Park.
None were found in Woodcock and Gladstone parks.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of the council, said: “The majority of those sleeping in the parks have come from eastern Europe to seek work in the UK and send money home. We understand they are trying to avoid accommodation costs by sleeping in the park and, while we are sympathetic to these individuals, our primary concern is the safety of our residents.”
The council is encouraging residents who witness anti-social behaviour, or see any tents or other temporary structures, in the borough’s parks to report it at http://brent.gov.uk/parksleepers
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