British councils to blitz squalid beds-in-sheds that house illegal immigrants

David Cameron visited an outbuilding that housed migrants in west London [PA]

As the first coach loads of Bulgarians and Romanians roll into Britain, the specially-trained workers will use thermal imaging equipment to locate squalid accommodation in outbuildings.

Rising rents and overcrowding means the problem has reached epidemic proportions in London, where most foreigners are expected to stay.

Last night the capital was put on red alert hours before packed coaches arrive at Victoria station later today.

Council officials in Harrow in north-west London, which is already home to 5,000 Romanians, have found evidence of hundreds of migrants living in appalling conditions.

The authority is investigating 100 cases where desperate families pay rogue landlords 50 each a week to share a grubby mattress in a freezing outbuilding.

Council bosses vowed to prosecute those exploiting the most vulnerable in a borough where more than 4,000 people are waiting for social housing.

Tory council leader Susan Hall said: The rise in beds in sheds and overcrowding is now significant in parts of London and the likely influx [of eastern European migrants] is going to turn the pressure up on housing even further.

Harrow council leader Susan Hall speaks out against beds-in-sheds [PH]

Harrow has had to draft in hundreds of extra Romanian and Bulgarian interpreters as it prepares to be bombarded for information about benefits, housing and schools.

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British councils to blitz squalid beds-in-sheds that house illegal immigrants