A water fountain in Hyde Park has been turned off because homeless people were washing themselves and their clothes in it.
Royal Parks, which manages the grounds, drained the water feature after complaints. It said it turned off the Joy of Life fountain so it could be cleaned.
A makeshift camp of up to 50 people has been set up in Park Lane, which runs along the periphery of the public garden, triggering complaints from locals as well as concerns about their welfare.
One person who was using the fountain to wash told The Evening Standard: “We have no choice. The cafes say we cannot use their toilets for a wash and we have nowhere else to go to bathe or wash our clothes.”
Westminster City council said in a statement it was investigating reports of anti-social behaviour by rough sleepers in and around the park.
Although it is among the richest boroughs in the country, with an average income of £104,000, it is one of the worst performing for homelessness. More than 8,000 people sleep rough in the area, according to research published last year be the homeless charity, Shelter.
Royal Parks said people were not allowed to bathe in the fountains and said police could “move them on” if the security caught them.
A spokesperson said: “It’s understandable that people are looking for ways to cool down and stay fresh in this hot weather, but it is prohibited to bathe in our fountains.
“We request that park visitors do not do anything that pollutes our fountains, lakes, ponds or rivers – including bathing, personal grooming or littering of any kind. If we see anyone bathing in fountains, the Metropolitan Police Service patrolling the area could move them on.”
A spokesperson for Westminster council said: “Our ornamental ponds and fountains are not designed to be used for swimming or bathing and we encourage the public not to use them in this way – this is primarily for their own safety
“There are a number of ‘splash play’ areas and paddling pools across the city for people to enjoy throughout the summer.”
