A conservative English deputy has asked the British Government to take action against homeless Romanian immigrants, which have tripled in number since work restrictions were eliminated on January 1, 2014.

According to a report from Westminster Council, the local authority for one of London’s central districts, the number of Romanian rough sleepers in Central London has risen from 20 in January to 59 last month.

The rise in vagrants is reported to have sparked a spate of aggressive begging, pickpocketing and prostitution, which is blighting exclusive London addresses such as Park Lane. Romanian beggars have been seen sleeping on the grass, washing in public fountains, dumping rubbish or even defecating in public, according to the Daily Mail. 

Mark Field, Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster, called on the Government to take urgent action.

“Romanians are entitled to come to this country, and many I know have come to take up employment and make a contribution. What is unacceptable is the vast increase in the number sleeping rough on the streets of our capital and there must be urgent action to ensure they are sent back to Romania,” he said.

editor@romania-insider.com