[Steve]

'Deeply disrespectful' rough sleepers set up camp at 7/7 bombing memorial in Hyde Park.


Rough sleepers have sparked outrage by camping at the 7/7 memorial and turning the plaque inscribed with the names of the 52 victims into a dinner table.



The memorial site in Hyde Park is also being treated as a makeshift toilet by the homeless eastern European group, triggering anger among survivors of the 2005 terrorist attack on London.

They have been captured on camera putting their possessions on the memorial with apparently no awareness of what it represents.

A series of 10th anniversary events to remember the victims of the suicide bomb attacks on three Tube trains and a bus in Tavistock Square are planned for next week, including a visit to the memorial by the Prime Minister.



The rough sleepers have been branded “deeply disrespectful” for the way they are treating it. They clutter the site with their sleeping bags, cases and black sacks overnight and move on early the next day to evade the authorities, according to witnesses.

One onlooker said: “They were there when this poor person went to pay their respects to the dead early one morning. What he saw was basically a rubbish heap and the rough sleepers did not move. They seem ignorant of what the memorial means.

“At one stage they used the memorial plaque as a dinner table, it was disgusting. One of the group was even using the site as a toilet. This is just so out of order.”

The group of around a dozen rough-sleepers was camped at the memorial all last week. Many also use nearby Marble Arch as a temporary home.

Jacqui Putnam, who survived the attack on a train at Edgware Road that killed six people, said: “This is shocking behaviour and deeply offensive to the families of those who died and the survivors. It does not matter where these people are from, this is obviously a memorial and they are being deeply disrespectful. More needs to be done to protect the memorial.”

She said that last week’s terror attack on holidaymakers in Tunisia brought into focus the importance of remembering the innocent victims.

“I feel so much for the poor families, the people camping at the memorial are showing little regard for others, it is just awful.”

The memorial features 52 steel pillars to represent each of the victims of the bomb attacks.

Nick Taylor, chief executive of the Survivors Network which help victims of terrorism, said: “We are very disappointed that at this especially poignant time this is happening. We would call on people who see this to report it so that the Royal Parks can take the appropriate action.”

Cllr Nickie Aiken, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “All memorials should be treated with sensitivity and respect, but this one even more so with the tenth anniversary of the London terror attacks just a few days away.

“I was appalled when I saw the photographs. As soon as we knew about the problems, the council notified Royal Parks Police and Immigration Enforcement officers, bringing together the right agencies to address the issue as soon as possible.

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims of 7/7 and hope these pictures do not cause further upset at what must be a very difficult time.”

Last year the memorial was defaced by a vandal who daubed “Blair lied thousands died” and “4 innocent Muslims” across it.

[T2]

Absolutely sickening.

[kellyhound]

probably doing it on purpose hoping the city is going to find some nice expensive homes for themto live in for free to solve the "problem".

[spudigitti]

gypos

[winvens]

Originally Posted by Top Gear ↗

They have been captured on camera putting their possessions on the memorial with apparently no awareness of what it means.

True ignorance is one thing, being a thoughtless asswipe is another. Immigration should pinpoint why they're living a homeless lifestyle in the first place.

Hopefully most of these people will feel remorse and make up for it once they understand the reason for the memorial. Deport the ones who won't.

[ices]

Originally Posted by Anom Alley ↗

True ignorance is one thing, being a thoughtless asswipe is another. Immigration should pinpoint why they're living a homeless lifestyle in the first place.

Hopefully most of these people will feel remorse and make up for it once they understand the reason for the memorial. Deport the ones who won't.

Do you think they care? They care about where the next meal comes from and who they can scam next, not some memorial for people who died years ago.

[Zambini]

I'm sure they'll end up on welfare, like a lot of others

[waterwaybabies]

ah the joys of being part of the european union.
robbing roma scum the lot of them.

[waterwaybabies]

oh and they live a homeless lifestyle in romania too. they are travellers but the pickings are better here

[T2]

Just shoot them all and save the country a bunch of money.