Rough sleepers accused of treating a car park in the same road as Hounslow police station like a "public toilet" have been moved on.

Hounslow Council said it had teamed up with police to clear eight people from the public car park in Montague Road, off Hounslow High Street.

They acted after complaints from the public about street drinking, alleged drug use and public urination and defecation at the site.

Members of the public had also raised concerns about threatening behaviour by those sleeping there, which the council said left some people afraid to use or walk through the car park.

The rough sleepers were initially asked to move on but, when they ignored requests to leave, a 48 dispersal order was issued on Thursday January 28.

A Polish police officer acted as an interpreter when they were ordered to leave, and they were given contact details for the homeless charity St Mungo's, the council said.

Sympathy ended

Councillor Richard Foote, Hounslow Council's cabinet member for community protection, said: “It’s tragic that in this day and age, and in a country like the UK, we still have vulnerable people living rough.

“The streets are no place to call home and we work closely with St Mungo’s to help residents that find themselves in this situation somewhere safe to lay their head.

“However, my sympathy for rough sleepers ends when their behaviour results in people feeling intimidated and unsafe.

"The people living at Montague Road car park used it like a public toilet. There is absolutely no excuse for people to behave like animals – whatever their circumstances."

One member of the public told getwestlondon homeless people had been camped in the car park for at least three months. He said it stank of human excrement and fights had frequently broken out there.

"It's not acceptable to have people chucking abuse at passersby, especially when it's next door to a children's day care centre," added the man, who asked not to be named.

The council said the affected area of the car park had since been thoroughly disinfected twice - first after the homeless occupants were initially told to leave and then once they were again given their marching orders having returned 49 hours later.

It said police were continuing to monitor the site and would take further action if necessary.

Acting Police Sergeant Stuart Dale said: "The rough sleepers failed to leave the area or take up the services of St Mungo's so we have used powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to disperse the rough sleepers.

"This was done with advice on charities that may be able to help them and access to a phone if they wanted to call any of them."