"Transport for London (TfL) has spent more than 113,000 in three months on a security firm hired to prevent rough sleepers returning to Park Lane. TfL hired the firm - which is understood to be MEC Security - this summer after an encampment of rough sleepers was removed from the site. The transport body said that between July and September it spent 113,365 on security at Park Lane."
"In May, the authority secured a court order to remove a large encampment opposite the Hilton by Hyde Park Corner. Several businesses said they were frustrated by people from the encampment approaching customers, including a nearby restaurateur who said all they wanted to do was "get rid of them" because "it's not good for the area". A TfL spokesperson said security staff had been hired to patrol the area to discourage people from returning."
TfL spent 113,365 on security patrols at Park Lane between July and September to deter rough sleepers from returning. The security firm is understood to be MEC Security, hired after an encampment was removed this summer. People sleeping rough were told they would be removed and Westminster City Council outreach teams could provide support. A Conservative West End councillor described the expenditure as sad but necessary because of the disastrous impact of past encampments. The central strip of Park Lane is managed by TfL rather than Westminster City Council. Westminster has more people sleeping rough than any other area, and government funding has been welcomed.
Read at www.bbc.com
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