Police and bailiffs have swooped on a second illegal encampment where up to 40 European migrants had been living.

The illegal camp, set up underneath the North Circular by the Cooks Ferry Interchange on the border of Chingford and Upper Edmonton, was cleared yesterday morning (August 6).

Landowner Thames Water confirmed they had secured an eviction order and was working with homelessness charity Thames Reach.

A Thames Water spokeswoman, said: "We do not know exact number but we think around 40 people had been living on the site for a number of months."

To gain access to the underpass site, it is understood the migrants would have had to cross the busy dual carriageway and climb down a makeshift ladder.

The camp had been abandoned by the time officers had arrived, and all that remained was evidence of the squalid "risky conditions" as photographed by officers from Enfield police.

Pictures reveal at least four mattresses, four tents and a dilapidated wooden shack.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Makeshift tents and shelters home to rough sleepers underneath A406 flyover 

A Met spokesman, said: "On Thursday, August 6, at approximately 8am officers from Enfield borough attended a temporary camp that had been constructed on land between Harbet Road and the A406 North Circular Flyover at Chingford.

"Eviction notices had previously been served by bailiffs on behalf of Thames Water.

"Police were present to prevent any breach of the peace whilst the bailiffs took action.

"On arrival it was found that all the camps were already abandoned and personal belongings removed."

Following yesterday's visit, Thames Reach, tweeted: "Very hard to see people living in these risky conditions, we continue to offer support to rough sleepers who lived here."

 

The eviction comes ten months after eastern European migrants were cleared from a makeshift campsite 500m away in a wooded area besides a canal path off Advent Way.

Police have said the camp will be demolished over the next couple of days.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The encampment was set up less than 500m from the first encampment cleared by TfL last year