I confronted the migrant begging gang in London - their behaviour is insulting

A gang of Romanian organised beggars set up camp near a London landmark and have been spotted drinking alcohol, gambling and littering. Despite being moved on by police, members of the gang, which is believed to be led by convicted criminal Iliuta Gruia, returned to their original spot within minutes while others moved just metres away in an insult to the force.

I visited their makeshift camp near Marble Arch, on the corner of Oxford Street in the heart of the city's famous West End, on Thursday (July 16) to confront the beggars and hopefully track down Gruia. Although the ringleader, who has a restraining order in his home country for threatening to kill children, was nowhere to be seen, I saw first-hand how the group are operating. Some sat in the shadows of Marble Arch, drinking and littering, while others begged outside shops on Oxford Street despite previously being seen gambling with large wads of cash on previous visits.

As I walked out of the tube station at Marble Arch, the sun was shining and there were crowds of people walking between shops and cafes enjoying their day. Within around 20 minutes of sitting down on a bench, I was hit by the smell of marijuana and heard intimidating shouting between members of 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. I saw a group of three women moved on by police, who acted respectfully and politely, just for them to move around 50 metres away and continue their nuissance behaviour.

After being confronted by myself and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, the women claimed not to speak English. As we turned our backs, I heard one of them mutter something in Romanian.

Meanwhile, another member of the gang ditched a trolley full of bulging black bin bags underneath the Marble Arch as hundreds of tourists walked by. The sight of an imposing landmark ruined by the behaviour of one person.

Not only did they show little respect to other people and police officers, but also for the city of London. The city, and in particular Oxford Street and the West End, should be seen as one of the most glamorous areas in the world.

However, the beggars have transformed the corner at Marble Arch, as well as 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 (PSPOs) prohibiting them to do so, and leave litter lying on footpaths and flowerbeds.

Although many of them claim to be homeless, I saw one woman eating a whole rotisserie chicken, which seemed to be from M&S, alongside other snacks while another man strolled around with an open litre bottle of Disaronno. Others have been spotted gambling with large amounts of cash while ringleader Gruia has boasted about his money on social media.

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.