Grosvenor Gardens rough sleeping surge costs businesses thousands

Dozens of rough sleepers are camping nightly in Grosvenor Gardens, a small park near Victoria station, leading to repeated thefts and property damage for nearby businesses. Shopkeepers say the situation has worsened over recent months, with some reporting weekly losses of up to £40.

Bally Singh, who owns the Charles of Belgravia off-licence, told the Daily Mail that two homeless individuals smashed his shop door and stole alcohol and cigarettes worth more than £1,000. The incident marked the first robbery in the shop’s 100-year history. Singh said the thieves used a red council rubbish bag, making them easy to identify.

Council confirms £8 million annual spending on support

Westminster City Council said it spends £8 million each year on services for rough sleepers, including hostels and addiction treatment. A council spokesperson told the Evening Standard that while many individuals accept help, some locations attract anti-social behaviour and crime.

Councillor Caroline Sargent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said: "Local people and businesses are fed up with rough sleeping sites springing up, and so are we. This is totally unacceptable in the heart of a capital city." She called for Home Office intervention to address the issue.

Police say new technology speeds up offender identification

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Metropolitan Police’s lead for business crime, said new reporting systems allow retailers to send CCTV footage directly to officers when an incident occurs. He told the Evening Standard this helps build stronger cases and take faster action against offenders.

Other businesses in the area reported similar problems. A hotel receptionist said a rough sleeper urinated in a booked room and stole linens, forcing the hotel to close the room for a week. A barista said a homeless individual punched a staff member after attempting to steal food from a café.

What happens next

Westminster Council has not announced any new measures specifically for Grosvenor Gardens. The council said it continues to offer support services and patrols but has urged the Home Office to take a larger role in addressing rough sleeping and associated criminal activity. The Metropolitan Police said it relies on businesses providing evidence at the time of an incident to pursue prosecutions.