0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's the most famous shopping street in the world,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07in the heart of Britain's capital city.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12A mile and a half long, with 30 million visitors each year.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15With some of the world's most famous shops, biggest stars...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- Kate Moss!- Whoo!
0:00:17 > 0:00:19..and busiest stations.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Sorry, guys, stand back for me.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25What does it take to keep it running 24 hours a day...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Busiest street in the world so it needs constant attention.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..seven days a week?
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Right, clear off!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33You're going to be arrested on suspicion of attempted theft.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Are you ready, London?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38A street that never sleeps.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This sort of thing wouldn't happen anywhere else.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Coming up - fare dodgers on Oxford Street.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51What you've done there's an offence.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Disputes break out...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55BLEEP!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..as ticket inspectors crack down.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Is there any reason why you didn't buy your own ticket?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02It's jingle bells for a new Christmas musical.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04SIRENS BLARE
0:01:04 > 0:01:06And opening night's a riot.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Well, I'm concerned. That sleigh could become a target.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13How a high street chain helps the homeless...
0:01:13 > 0:01:15You're just giving them what you're going to throw in the dustbin.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19..and we saddle up with the mounted police.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Quick as you can, across the road, thank you.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31Oxford Street sees some 250 buses pass down it an hour.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36And its four Tube stations are some of the busiest on the network.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Most of the millions of shoppers and commuters who come to the street
0:01:40 > 0:01:42on public transport pay their way...
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Lovely, thank you.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45..but there are some that don't.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Fare evasion is estimated to cost Transport For London
0:01:51 > 0:01:54more than £70 million a year.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Catching and stopping evaders has become a priority.
0:01:58 > 0:02:04And TfL now employs 500 inspectors across London's Tube and bus network.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09It's a difficult job, with staff regularly facing surliness,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11antagonism, or even worse.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Working Bond Street and Oxford Circus Tube stations today,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Scott Waring and Dan Middleherst are in plain clothes
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and keeping a close eye out for evaders.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30There's no set, erm, description of a fare evader.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33It could be anyone, it could be everyone.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36They're here to spot people doubling through the barriers.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39But they've also set them to flash and identify people
0:02:39 > 0:02:42going through using discounted fares.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Passes with discounts are the most commonly misused.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50This man has a valid armed services veterans card,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53entitling him to free travel.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55He matches the photo on the card
0:02:55 > 0:02:58but, just a few moments later, Dan has stopped another man,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01with a disabled pass, who doesn't.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Have you got any proof of ID with you?
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Just cos your photograph's really erm...
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- It's your brother's?- Yeah. - Why are you using your brother's?
0:03:09 > 0:03:12OK, just come back through, I'll ask you some questions, yeah,
0:03:12 > 0:03:13we won't be long.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16The man admits he's using a disabled Freedom Pass
0:03:16 > 0:03:18that belongs to someone else.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21On the buses, anyone without a ticket is at fault.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26On the Tube, inspectors have to prove intent to evade a fare,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and so they like to ask some questions.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33You're being reported for the offence of fare evasion.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35You're not under arrest. You're not obliged to remain with me,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- you're free to leave if you wish to go.- OK, yeah.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- OK, do you understand the caution? - Yeah, fine.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42You can, yeah.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47OK. We may need to call you in for another interview further.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50So you understand the facts will be reported, yeah?
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- You may be prosecuted for this. - OK, fine.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Inspectors aren't police, and can't detain people to question them,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59but the man has already admitted the offence.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02He's using a disabled Freedom Pass. It's pretty worn,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06looks like it's been through the washing machine a few times.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07It's not an ideal situation
0:04:07 > 0:04:10because I'd rather continue interviewing him,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12about where he got the pass,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15how long he's been using it. Erm...
0:04:15 > 0:04:17But, unfortunately, it's his right to leave.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So he's exercised that right to leave.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Soon after, Dan spots someone trying to double their way
0:04:23 > 0:04:25through the ticket gates, behind someone else,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27to avoid paying.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29See what you've done there is an offence.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The man seems to see the funny side of things.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42If you would've had a valid ticket, you wouldn't be in this trouble now, would you?
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- I know.- And you'd still be getting her number.- Yeah.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50This man's brief encounter has ended up costing him at least £40.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58With an annual Tube travel card costing up to £3,336 a year,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02the temptation to take advantage of free or discounted rates is strong.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Scott has stopped another man using someone else's student pass.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Why are you using your sister's ticket?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13But the ticket's not transferable,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17it's solely for your sister to use, because it's a discounted ticket.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20You're not entitled to discounted travel, are you?
0:05:20 > 0:05:21- No.- So do you agree
0:05:21 > 0:05:24that you've avoided the full fare for your journey this morning?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Dan and Scott have caught three people evading already this morning,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33but all three have taken it on the chin.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35However, above ground, on the buses,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39things are not so straightforward for Lincoln Stuart and Beata Wall.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42You haven't got a valid ticket for your journey,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45so what I need to do is take some details.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49This couple have only one validated Oyster card between them,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53but the woman claims the driver told them to board anyway.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Beata wants to check at the next stop,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57but before she gets the chance...
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Unfortunately... Hello, sir? I need to, erm...
0:06:01 > 0:06:02..they get off.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08Yeah, I'm not supposed to follow people off the bus.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12It's illegal to refuse to provide your details to a bus inspector,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15but they have no powers to detain you.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19All I'm going to do is submit a report to TfL, and this card.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23And, hopefully, they'll be able to obtain details at a later date.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27They might have got off, but if the Oyster card is registered,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29TfL may soon be in touch.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Later, for the revenue inspectors,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36it's disgruntled customers...
0:06:36 > 0:06:39She stormed off the bus, stomping her feet.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40..aggression...
0:06:40 > 0:06:42BLEEP!
0:06:42 > 0:06:44..and even worse.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Pushed his way through the gates so there's bite marks.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Christmas comes early to Oxford Street.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02And, at the Dominion Theatre, this year, it's even earlier than usual.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05October, to be exact.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09In ten days' time, the theatre's biggest show of the year opens -
0:07:09 > 0:07:12a musical version of the hit Hollywood movie Elf,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15starring Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Rehearsals are entering their final phases,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23and the show will open with a gala press performance.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Everything needs to be perfect.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26HE GIVES INSTRUCTIONS
0:07:26 > 0:07:29David Pearson is the theatre's general manager.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32On opening night, it's tradition, it's the press night.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Erm, so this is the night all the press come and they review the show.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37So everybody, from our front of house staff,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40through to our box office staff, everybody is focused
0:07:40 > 0:07:43on making sure the experience is great for the audience.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47The man with the most at stake, is the show's producer Michael Rose.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- Hello.- Hello.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- How are you?- Good to see you, good to see you.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57So we need to do a walk-round this morning, erm, regarding press night.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01OK. We know we're going to get some top celebrities, in fact,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03we're being bombarded with requests
0:08:03 > 0:08:05because of the sort of show that it is.
0:08:05 > 0:08:10And I think most of the Girls Aloud people are coming to see Kimberley.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Erm... Along with a whole host of other celebrities
0:08:13 > 0:08:15that I would have to kill you if I told you about.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21To get the theatre looking good for the opening,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25they've hired a team of specialist Christmas decorators
0:08:25 > 0:08:28to sprinkle a bit of magic in the foyer.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29What we're going to do here,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32is we're going to have two trees right up the top there,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34by the champagne bar, either side.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37A wreath is going to go just above that, a 4ft wreath.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Then, on the stairway, on both sides,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41we're going to have a swag garland.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Right, let's get cracking. Let's get it done.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56I basically bring Christmas to all interiors, anywhere.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Everything is obviously tested at the workshop
0:09:01 > 0:09:03before we come to the site.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06So I'm confident that it's all going to light up.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08He-e-ey!
0:09:10 > 0:09:15- Keep on moving it... Stop. - "Stop", yeah?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24And no celebrity premiere would be complete
0:09:24 > 0:09:27without the instant glamour of a red carpet.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29This might be a bit of a long process.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35The carpet might be laid,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38but it's in danger from a meteorological condition.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40And it isn't snow.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44We're just thinking, shall we just put a tape in here? No.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Well, because of the rain, the tape won't stick obviously.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51It won't stick down if it's wet, no, but if you...
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- if it's against the rails, we should be OK.- Yeah.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Erm...took a lot of work to get it right, but, yeah... Success.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Success, Dave!
0:10:02 > 0:10:05The show doesn't start for another two hours,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07but already the fans are getting in place.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11And there's one person in particular they're hoping to see.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Waiting for Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, so...
0:10:13 > 0:10:15I love Cheryl.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20No, I do! I'm obsessed.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23In the foyer, the excitement is reaching fever pitch.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Usually, with nights like tonight,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28you don't really know who's going to be coming in. So it is quite...
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I think I've got the best shift here in the whole building.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Although I've been told I'm not allowed on the red carpet.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37But, I suppose, no-one wants to take a picture of me anyway,
0:10:37 > 0:10:38so there you go.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41The celebrities and public begin arriving.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44There are presenters,
0:10:44 > 0:10:45TV doctors,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I haven't felt Christmas-y up until this point...
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Right now.- ..and, now suddenly, I'm kind of like... - Literally, right now.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- ..I'm thinking about presents, Santa...- Tinsel.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55And even a Spice Girl.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- Hello, mate.- Hello, gorgeous, how you doing? Mwah! You well?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Good evening, stalls straight ahead, circle up the stairs.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Just about to start the show.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Got to get them all inside.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Ladies and gentlemen, if you could carry on inside,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09the show will begin in about 31 seconds!
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Hiya.- Hey, how you doing?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Right, so it's down the middle aisle, on the left-hand side.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
0:11:17 > 0:11:22pixies and elves, welcome to this performance of Elf: The Musical.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24It's going very well.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26It's been a bit hectic but we're doing all right.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30But staff are still waiting for some expected celebrities.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32FANS SHOUT
0:11:32 > 0:11:33I think Cheryl's arrived.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36The show started a few minutes ago, but she's arrived now.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Cheryl!- Cheryl!- Cheryl!
0:11:40 > 0:11:42I'm so sorry.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Missed a little bit of it, but she'll be on in time for
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Kimberley's first scene, so that's the main thing.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48It was worth it, to see her.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51And if she stops after then it'll be worth it. If not, then maybe not.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Cos I'm a bit cold.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55When I say "a bit", I'm literally freezing.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58With Cheryl and Nicola Roberts taking their seats,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00it should be time for the team to relax a bit,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02but, today, they can't.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07They've got two more celebrities on their way for a major photoshoot.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Later, Rudolph's ready,
0:12:12 > 0:12:16but will an anti-capitalist riot dampen the Christmas spirit?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Hello.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32The problem of homelessness and rough sleeping is a complex one,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35but Oxford Street suffers its fair share.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38On the street itself, a concerted effort by local police
0:12:38 > 0:12:42and support groups has moved most rough sleepers away.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Begging? No.- Don't beg.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50But there's a continuing problem at Marble Arch, at the West End.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54It's Oxford Street's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Can't be kipping up there, mate.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59We've seen before the problem with Eastern European rough sleepers,
0:12:59 > 0:13:04newly arrived at the UK, congregating at the Marble Arch landmark
0:13:04 > 0:13:08because it's where their coaches first stop in central London.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11As you can see, we have a problem.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16PC Andy Pescot, ward officer for the area, has fought a long,
0:13:16 > 0:13:17and, at times, fraught,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22battle to keep this famous landmark clear for people to enjoy.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23This is the tourist hub
0:13:23 > 0:13:27and this is where we've got to be seen to enforce it,
0:13:27 > 0:13:28more than anywhere else.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33And the holiday makers, local businesses and local residents
0:13:33 > 0:13:37don't want to see 50 to 60 Roma Gypsies sitting at Marble Arch
0:13:37 > 0:13:41with all their bedding, suitcases and the litter,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44urination and defecation that comes with that.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46SIRENS SOUND
0:13:46 > 0:13:50He's just had word that yesterday a coach arrived
0:13:50 > 0:13:53and dropped off another sizeable group of people
0:13:53 > 0:13:55who are staying in the park.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56The name of the person you are...
0:13:56 > 0:14:00He wants to move them on using 48-hour dispersal notices
0:14:00 > 0:14:03to ban them from the area.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Today, he's not on his own.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08We've had reports that there is an increased number
0:14:08 > 0:14:09congregating in that area.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Myself, a number of other officers, along with Westminster City Council,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17the cleaning team and two remaining police officers
0:14:17 > 0:14:19are going to be going up to Marble Arch.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20..for them to understand...
0:14:20 > 0:14:23The Romanian police will act as translators.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28I'm going to explain to them why I'm doing what I'm doing,
0:14:28 > 0:14:33the grounds, the reasons and what will happen if they breach it.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Andy heads out.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43I've been reliably informed that, at the moment,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46there's approximately 20 Roma Gypsy sat at Marble Arch.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49So we'll see what we got when we get there.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52On arrival, the group of rough sleepers have congregated
0:14:52 > 0:14:53in the park.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55And are surrounded by their belongings.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Andy gets to work.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59Looks like they're washing.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Come with me! Over here!
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- HE SHOUTS:- Where's she going?
0:15:07 > 0:15:09You! Back!
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Back!
0:15:12 > 0:15:15The scale of the problem is immediately apparent.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18There's a lot of mess and it will all need cleaning up.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Speaks for itself, doesn't it? It speaks volumes. Disgusting.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Disgusting. A tourist attraction, the middle of London.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28Over here, now!
0:15:30 > 0:15:32So I'm going to take authority on this now.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- OK. Shout when I shout, OK?- OK.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- ANDY SHOUTS:- Listen in!
0:15:38 > 0:15:41POLICE OFFICER SPEAKS IN ROMANIAN
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Everybody, get your documents.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Your travel document and your ID card out now! Over here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50And keep them in the air till an officer collects them.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Recently arrived people from EU member states
0:15:55 > 0:15:57have the right to live and work in the UK,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01but they don't have the right to sleep rough at famous landmarks,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04as they're about to find out.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- OK, ready, guys?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Listen to what I am telling you.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14Due to ongoing antisocial behaviour, caused by you as a group...
0:16:14 > 0:16:19POLICE OFFICER TRANSLATES IN ROMANIAN
0:16:19 > 0:16:23..by rough sleeping in large numbers in doorways,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26by urinating and defecating in public places,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and by begging on the streets for two days...
0:16:29 > 0:16:30POLICE OFFICER TRANSLATES
0:16:30 > 0:16:33..there is a dispersal in place.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36If you return, you will be liable to arrest.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38We are no longer tolerating your behaviour.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The news sinks in with the group.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Either conform to treaty rights, or leave.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Meanwhile, Andy takes an interest in one particular woman.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Why are you back in England?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Some time ago, he found her in breach of her EU treaty right,
0:16:56 > 0:17:00having failed to integrate, or get a job or accommodation.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03He had her removed from the UK,
0:17:03 > 0:17:04but now she's back.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07How many times have you been in England now?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- SHE SPEAKS ROMANIAN - Four times.- Four times?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13You understand treaty rights, you've been removed before.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14You cannot keep coming here.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18As you can see,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22my colleagues are currently issuing the section 35 dispersals.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28We've highlighted the complete area in which the dispersal applies to,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30so there can be no confusion
0:17:30 > 0:17:33as to which areas they can and cannot enter.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Many Roma people say they come to the UK
0:17:36 > 0:17:39to escape prejudice and hardship in their own country.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41They say they also find it hard to get work
0:17:41 > 0:17:46because their English is often poor.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49While PC Pescot gives out dispersal notices,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52the other teams he's brought with him get busy doing their bit...
0:17:52 > 0:17:54SHE SPEAKS ROMANIAN
0:17:54 > 0:17:59..including Stephen Large, the environmental manager for the area.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00It's a famous landmark
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and it's literally just being mashed with the amount of litter,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08the bedding, the aggressive begging that we have here.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11It's just endless. And, you know,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14we need something done about it really.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16But, as the clean team do their stuff,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18on the far side of the square,
0:18:18 > 0:18:22one woman feels her bag is being taken in the clean up.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24SHE SPEAKS ROMANIAN
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- A small bag?- Yeah, yeah, a small bag.- What colour is it?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30THEY SPEAK ROMANIAN
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Think they've chucked the bag in.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33She's got it now.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Thank you very much.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36Thank you, thank you.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Finally, after an hour and a half, the park is cleared
0:18:39 > 0:18:43but Andy's concerned where the rough sleepers will go next.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Just for your information,
0:18:47 > 0:18:52we've dispersed approximately 20 Roma for 48 hours.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53Unfortunately for yourselves,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56it looks like they're all heading into Hyde Park.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00I have informed the police officers in the park,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02so you make sure you tell all your friends
0:19:02 > 0:19:03they are to come out of Hyde Park.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05POLICE OFFICERS CONFER OVER RADIO
0:19:05 > 0:19:08If they leave any bags in the bushes,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10we will remove those bags and destroy them.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12CLEAN UP TEAM CHATTER
0:19:12 > 0:19:13It's not a pleasant job for Andy,
0:19:13 > 0:19:18but some local workers want him to know how they feel about the problem.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I just work in the office here and I see them everyday.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23I was really happy to see that today,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- you're getting rid of them, hopefully.- Glad we can help.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I'm really glad and I hope you'll be able to get rid of them.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30- Good luck.- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35For Andy, it's been a successful operation.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37As you can see, behind me,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41it's now clear of Roma Gypsy bags and rubbish.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43When we first arrived, it was appalling.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45And, for 48 hours at least,
0:19:45 > 0:19:50people can sit here and enjoy the location, enjoy their lunches
0:19:50 > 0:19:51without the rubbish,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54without everything else that goes along with it,
0:19:54 > 0:19:55the antisocial behaviour.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Revenue inspectors are still hunting for fare evaders
0:20:09 > 0:20:12on Oxford Street's buses and Tube stations.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16They've already stopped a number of people
0:20:16 > 0:20:17travelling without valid tickets
0:20:17 > 0:20:21and made themselves unpopular in certain quarters in the process.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Also working the Oxford Street buses today
0:20:26 > 0:20:29are Miles Chambers and Rennick Cox
0:20:29 > 0:20:33but on the top deck of one bus they think they've been spotted.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37The man in the leather jacket got off the bus in a hurry
0:20:37 > 0:20:40when he saw the inspectors get on.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50And when they get off at the next stop the man is there.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52He takes exception to our camera.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Don't point the camera! Don't- BLEEP - point it at me!- Calm down.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Are you stupid or what?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01I'll smash it. Want me to smash it?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- I'll smash your- BLEEP- camera.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Leave man alone, he ain't done nothing!- I'm telling you!
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Leave him alone, you stupid man.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11That's what we come across on a day-to-day basis.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Miles and Rennick laugh the incident off
0:21:14 > 0:21:16but it's an all-too-regular occurrence.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Recent figures show a 44% rise in workplace assaults
0:21:20 > 0:21:24suffered by train and bus staff since 2011
0:21:24 > 0:21:28and the revenue inspectors are all too often at the sharp end.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I would say we get it quite often
0:21:30 > 0:21:33but, in terms of the opposite side of the scale,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35so the really friendly customers,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I'd say they outweigh that type of male.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Transport for London take a zero-tolerance approach
0:21:42 > 0:21:44to staff harassment of any sort.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Underground revenue inspector Dan knows
0:21:49 > 0:21:53all about the kind of aggression he and his team can face.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Recently, having stopped someone for dodging his fair,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58he was subjected to a vicious assault.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Pushed his way through the gates and then, er, proceeded to kick off.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06There's a couple of the images of the bite marks
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and the resulting bruising.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12They show you the state of my fleece.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Stuff that you have to go through as well,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18you know, you have to be tested for HIV and, erm...
0:22:18 > 0:22:19hepatitis as well.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22And then you have to have a six-month checkup again after,
0:22:22 > 0:22:26so, yeah, it just gives you an idea of sometimes how the job can...
0:22:26 > 0:22:29you know, one minute can be OK and then it turns.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34The man who assaulted him was later given a 14-month prison sentence.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Back on patrol, Dan's hoping for a quieter evening.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42On the other side of the station,
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Scott has stopped another man using a Freedom Pass that isn't his.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Where did you get the Freedom Pass? - Found it on the floor.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54So do you accept by using the Freedom Pass
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- you're avoiding the fare for your journey?- Yeah.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00The pass entitles a pensioner to free travel.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03It can now be returned to its rightful owner.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04The man's details are taken
0:23:04 > 0:23:06and he leaves.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08He'll be expecting a letter from TfL shortly.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14The ticket has got an expiry date of 31 March 2020, so, potentially,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17if we hadn't have stopped him today, he could have been using that
0:23:17 > 0:23:18until that time.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21But Dan and Scott suspect the man might have been using
0:23:21 > 0:23:23the pass for a long time.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28They want to investigate further, and head to the station's control room.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Er, Gate 75.- There he is.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- Yeah.- Is that him? - I'm sure that was him.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36They can see when the pass was used
0:23:36 > 0:23:38and, with over 200 cameras in the station,
0:23:38 > 0:23:42they can see him every time he's used it.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- There he is. Yeah. - It's him in the baseball cap?- Yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Their investigations show the man has indeed been trying to
0:23:49 > 0:23:51pass himself off as a pensioner for some time,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55saving himself significant amounts of money.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58He said to me, under caution, that he'd been using it
0:23:58 > 0:24:04for about two weeks, so that would tie in with that as well.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Dan and Scott below ground and Miles and Rennick above
0:24:07 > 0:24:11continue their shifts long into the evening.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14I did actually put the card on the thing.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16But it obviously didn't go through
0:24:16 > 0:24:20because that must have blocked it, so it was a pure accident.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23I'm going to have to issue you with a penalty fare, OK?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28She actually stormed off the bus, stomping her feet as she got off.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Every day dealing with fare evaders is a challenge
0:24:31 > 0:24:34but they think they've been successful.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38We've had a few happy customers, a few...disgruntled customers,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41but overall we've provided a... a good service.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44So it shows you the type of people you can come across
0:24:44 > 0:24:46on the lovely, lovely Oxford Street.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55At the Dominion Theatre,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59it's opening night for West End Christmas show Elf: The Musical.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02The celebrities have arrived.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And the show's up and running.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09But while the performance is going on, staff are getting ready
0:25:09 > 0:25:12for a key promotional event at the front of the theatre.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15We'll prepare the reindeer.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Right, so I need to pull into there, don't I?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Nobody really knows about them, so I think it's going to be a surprise
0:25:21 > 0:25:23as people leave the theatre and see those reindeers outside.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I think it's going to be quite special.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28We've come from near Market Harbour,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31where we have a farm with a herd of reindeer, erm,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34and we're go to take the leading lady and the leading man
0:25:34 > 0:25:37to an afterparty and a press night.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40To get to the afterparty, the reindeer and sleigh
0:25:40 > 0:25:43will need to travel to the other end of Oxford Street.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Problem is, the show organisers didn't count on the fact
0:25:48 > 0:25:52there's an anti-capitalist protest happening just a mile and a half away
0:25:52 > 0:25:55which threatens to spread to Oxford Street.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Well, we have got the Million Mask March
0:25:57 > 0:26:00which is going on as well, this evening.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03And there is still potential for some disorder.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Erm, which could spill over to where we are.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07If it is going to affect us,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10what I'm concerned about is that that sleigh could become a target.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14By 10pm the show's over and the audience spills out.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Absolutely amazing, loved every second of it.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21It couldn't have gone better tonight,
0:26:21 > 0:26:23it's just a magical atmosphere.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I'm just so relieved!
0:26:25 > 0:26:28But, outside, the reindeer ride is causing concern.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Right, OK.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40So we just need to have a word with them, because we've been said, yes,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42we can do this, but we need to do it now.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48Right, OK.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Right, from our control room, he's happy for it to go ahead
0:26:51 > 0:26:54but it has to happen now, or very, very soon.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Right, OK.- But we can do it now, but if we do it we've got to do it now.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02David makes a big decision.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06We're not going down Oxford Street, we're going to go around the corner and that's it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Brilliant. I'll let them know.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Life on Oxford Street, eh?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14With the decision made to divert from Oxford Street,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16theatre staff can relax at least a bit.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19But they've still got to wait for stars Kimberley Walsh
0:27:19 > 0:27:21and Ben Forster to appear.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24So we're going ahead in five minutes.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29The real stars of the show make their appearance bang on time.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33These two are my most experienced reindeer.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Excuse me.- Oh. Excuse me. - Excuse me, please.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39We're just waiting for the stars, for our passengers,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43but that's fine, we can do that, we can still create the spectacle,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45and that's what we're going to do.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Good boy. Good boy.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- Do we know how soon we'll be ready to move off?- I'll find out now.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Oh, right, cos I'll update them. All right, thanks.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55- They're on their way. - They're on the way?
0:27:55 > 0:27:57All right, excellent, thanks.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- They're on the way now.- Right.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03As soon as she comes down, they'll move off onto the road,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05we're going to follow, and then we'll hold the traffic back
0:28:05 > 0:28:08while they make progress up the road.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Another five minutes? OK, I'll let them know.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14I've just decided the reindeer are going to get in the sleigh
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and Kimberley and Ben are going to pull them.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18For taking so long.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20A lady will always keep you waiting.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24But, just when everyone was about to give up,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27show stars Ben Forster and Kimberley Walsh appear.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Oh, well. Greatest of plans and all that. We got there.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34- I think they all walked away getting excited for Christmas, and that's all we wanted, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- It's really quite exciting. I want to go pet the reindeers.- Me too.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39I'm going to go pet the reindeers.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Where's the red nose? I want to see his red nose.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48And, with that, they're away,
0:28:48 > 0:28:53bringing a little Christmas magic as they dash through the rain.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56See you, then, everybody. Bye!
0:28:57 > 0:28:59On the little bit, Charlie, on the little bit.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Having a lead reindeer gives them the herd instinct,
0:29:02 > 0:29:06it's following the tail of the one in front, so...all's going well.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09The cast and crew can head on to the afterparty,
0:29:09 > 0:29:12the paparazzi hot on their heels.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- I've already done it! - Can I get a quick picture?- Yeah.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24It's probably the shortest one we've ever done, four minutes, no more.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- Hi, Kimberley!- Bye! Love you!
0:29:27 > 0:29:30And the reindeer can head home to Market Harborough,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32or is it the North Pole?
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Last chance of a drink till we get home.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36No?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Everyone's safe, everyone's going home, so...
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Community is safe, community reassured.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Oh, it's been brilliant for us.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45It's gone really well, the audience loved it,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48they were all up on their feet at the end, 100% standing ovation.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50We couldn't get the whole run of Oxford Street
0:29:50 > 0:29:53but, hey, that's show business and that's Oxford Street.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55What a bizarre business we work in.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Teeming with crowds and with traffic frequently at a standstill,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Oxford Street isn't the easiest place to police.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20Sometimes you need more speed than a foot patrol,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23more versatility than a car and an extra-high vantage point.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32At Great Scotland Yard stables in central London, PC Kate Cornish
0:30:32 > 0:30:36is getting police horse Merlin ready for a day's work -
0:30:36 > 0:30:38patrolling Oxford Street.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Just likes his melons in the morning!
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Merlin is one of the Metropolitan Police's most experienced horses.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Today he and Kate will be patrolling with PC Helen Ridge,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52riding one of their newest recruits.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55This is Raleigh, police horse number 37.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59And he's been my horse for three months.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04Raleigh's completed six months' training but has little experience
0:31:04 > 0:31:07of the crowds and noise he'll see today on Oxford Street.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Today is crucial to see how he copes
0:31:10 > 0:31:14before he'll be allowed on more serious crowd operations.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19Well, what we really hope from Raleigh today is that he...
0:31:19 > 0:31:21doesn't get stressed out by it. He's a young boy.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25He's seen a few bits and pieces but he hasn't had a proper good
0:31:25 > 0:31:29patrol up in Oxford Street, which is a totally different ball game.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Now numbering 120 horses,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37the Mounted Branch is the oldest part of the Metropolitan Police.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Riders and horses have seen their roles change,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43from chasing down highwaymen in the past
0:31:43 > 0:31:46to policing football matches today.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Apart from keeping them calm, one of the biggest challenges is
0:31:51 > 0:31:54manoeuvring the animals through the street.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Ladies and gents, if you can just excuse us.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58If you just wait there for us, sir, thank you very much.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Sir, if you can just wait to the side for us, thank you.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Just move over to the side, please. Thank you very much.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Side roads negotiated, Raleigh can finally get his first taste
0:32:09 > 0:32:12of Europe's busiest shopping street.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15He needs to stay calm and composed.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Can you just hold still for me a second?
0:32:17 > 0:32:22- Sorry, I've just got a young horse. Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:32:22 > 0:32:23Thank you.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28The mounted division might be an impressive sight,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32but their job goes far beyond that.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34Such a big, visible presence,
0:32:34 > 0:32:39and therefore a deterrent to anyone looking to...
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Stand still, stand still. Good boy, good lad.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45..anyone looking to commit crime.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50It's not just potential thieves who can spot the horses.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52- Hello.- Hello.
0:32:52 > 0:32:53Hello.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Hello.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Do you want to know his name?
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Tourists love them and, amid the street's hubbub,
0:33:00 > 0:33:02the animals provide a reassuring presence.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06I'm six foot three and they're bigger than me, and it's sort of...
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Not that I'm a crazy person at all
0:33:08 > 0:33:10but it sort of calms you down, I think. Yeah.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15So far, Raleigh's coping well with the myriad distractions of Oxford Street.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18One big part of their training is that they have to be able to
0:33:18 > 0:33:21stand still, with lots of people around them, football,
0:33:21 > 0:33:23with traffic going past,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26and, for a horse, that's one of the hardest things to do.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Standing outside John Lewis,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32the horses soon attract a small crowd of admirers.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33Hello.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36One of the advantages of the horses
0:33:36 > 0:33:38is this kind of community interaction.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42And with an attentive audience Helen doesn't waste the opportunity
0:33:42 > 0:33:45to dispense some crime-prevention advice.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Folks, when you're walking up and down, just be careful
0:33:48 > 0:33:50with your phones and your bags, OK, girls?
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Raleigh isn't being so helpful.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55He's just eaten someone's poppy.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Well, he's ripped it off and spat it out.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01But it's not just photographs and petting.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05A tourist has spotted Helen and wants to report the theft of his wallet.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- So how much is missing?- No document but just cash.- Right, OK.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11Who was it, what did they look like?
0:34:11 > 0:34:14It's the first day, I am really bad luck,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17and when I come here I have some money been stolen.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20The theft only happened half an hour ago.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Helen circulates his description.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23Thank you.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27It's a male of Middle Eastern appearance in his 50s,
0:34:27 > 0:34:28large to fat build.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Thank you very much.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31Report made,
0:34:31 > 0:34:35and after ten minutes of standing still Raleigh is getting restless.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37Time to move on.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Ladies and gents, if you can just make us a gap, thank you,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43we're just coming through here. Thank you so much.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45As well as Oxford Street,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49the patrol covers many of the West End's other tourist hot spots.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52At Trafalgar Square the officers are stopped again by a man,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56who wants to report someone behaving suspiciously with a lamppost.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- Down on the pavement, right, it's a lamppost on the pavement.- Right, OK.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Member of the public's just come up and stated that they've seen a male
0:35:05 > 0:35:09open one of the lampposts outside the Canadian Embassy,
0:35:09 > 0:35:14appear to insert something electronic and then walk off.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Other officers later followed up the report
0:35:16 > 0:35:18but found nothing threatening.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25It's been a long day for the horses, particularly new boy Raleigh.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28But there's one final challenge for him
0:35:28 > 0:35:30before he can go back to the stables.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33He's got to cross the busy Oxford Circus junction
0:35:33 > 0:35:35at the centre of Oxford Street.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37It's probably the ultimate test, lots of buses.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40I can see an ambulance coming towards us on blues and twos.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Both horses need reassurance but they cross safely.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Ladies and gents, quick as you can across the road, thank you.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56Outstanding for a horse his age and the amount of times he's been out on the street.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59I'm really pleased with him. Absolutely fantastic.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05The patrol is finished for the day, so they make their way back to base.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Horses are still critical to London's policing
0:36:08 > 0:36:11and Raleigh's development is coming on apace.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14He'll spend the next decade supporting officers
0:36:14 > 0:36:16and patrolling Oxford Street.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27We've seen already that rough sleeping
0:36:27 > 0:36:31and homelessness is a problem on and around Oxford Street.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Westminster borough has the highest number of rough sleepers
0:36:36 > 0:36:37anywhere in the country.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43And dozens of people spend the nights in the streets' doorways or alleys.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Many are reliant on charity.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50It might seem a far cry from the restaurants
0:36:50 > 0:36:51and cafes of Oxford Street
0:36:51 > 0:36:56but one sandwich chain is doing its bit to help address the issue.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Since 2006, Pret A Manger has collected unsold food
0:37:02 > 0:37:07that would otherwise be wasted and donated it to feed the homeless.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Tonight, their driver, David Rogers,
0:37:12 > 0:37:17is doing the charity food collection from their Oxford Street shops.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21The homeless people in London, it's just rising and rising and rising.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25When I first started, we were only collecting...12 shops
0:37:25 > 0:37:29and probably doing four charities, where now 90% of the Pret shops
0:37:29 > 0:37:33get collected either by us or by volunteers from charities.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38It's 11pm and the ten Pret shops along Oxford Street
0:37:38 > 0:37:40have closed for the day.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43It's David's job to pay them all a visit,
0:37:43 > 0:37:47collect the un-purchased food and deliver it to local charities.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50We're already in the straight to the end of Oxford Street here now.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52At the beginning... Ah, it's shut.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55HE LAUGHS
0:37:55 > 0:37:56They've shut the road
0:37:56 > 0:38:00because they want to put the Christmas decorations up, so...
0:38:00 > 0:38:02diversions.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06David's already behind schedule.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Oxford Street's no easier to negotiate at night than in the day.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Very busy tonight, very, very busy.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15David makes his way to the first shop.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18He never knows what will be left over for him.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19Few nice salads.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23You've got salad, sandwich, today actually a full selection for you.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Yeah, yeah, there's a full selection today.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28David collects 70 items from this shop.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Last year the company donated over three million in total.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34Are they freebies?
0:38:34 > 0:38:36No.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40It doesn't take David long to get in and out of the next few shops
0:38:40 > 0:38:42but, as he parks up for the fifth,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46he's confronted by the reality of homelessness in the area.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51There's probably about... six, seven over there.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56I couldn't imagine it being very comfortable out there, you know?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Back on the road, and by 2am David's nearly finished.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Right, this one's the last shop of the night.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12We could hit the record for the night.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15We've definitely gone past the last couple of shops.
0:39:15 > 0:39:1791.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20That is a lot.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25As he loads the van, two men introduce themselves.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27They say they've both been homeless in the past
0:39:27 > 0:39:30and have benefited from the programme.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34But Bernard thinks that the homeless aren't treated with enough dignity.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37You're giving them sandwiches that you can't sell.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39You see? And you're getting praise for it, yeah,
0:39:39 > 0:39:41that you're helping the homeless, but you're not really.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44You're just giving them what you're going to throw in the dustbin.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- His friend Edward sees it a little differently.- When we were...
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- It's better coming into my belly than it's going into the bin.- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55On behalf of all people like me, I'll say a big thank you.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- It fills the gap.- It does, it fills the gap all through the night.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Thanks to Pret, yeah?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03You generally think, like, we're all lucky
0:40:03 > 0:40:04cos we sleep in a bed, you know,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07but these guys sleep on the pavement in the freezing cold,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10so, yeah, it is really nice when they thank you.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13It's time to take what he's collected
0:40:13 > 0:40:15to the people who've been waiting for it.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19First up, David makes his way to a Salvation Army hostel
0:40:19 > 0:40:20in south London.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24- Hello, sir.- You all right?
0:40:24 > 0:40:28And then on to the Cardinal Hume hostel for young people in Victoria.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31- You all right?- Hello.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Sorry we're late. Are they all in bed now?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Many of the youngsters here have waited
0:40:36 > 0:40:38until after 2am for their evening meal.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43The residents depend on this, really. It mean a lot to them.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47It's a similar story at the Passage hostel,
0:40:47 > 0:40:52many of whose residents have in the past slept rough on Oxford Street.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Here, John and Wojciech
0:40:54 > 0:40:57have been waiting patiently for some sustenance.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02I was in the Army and, erm... I'm just...
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Now I'm waiting to move on into some sort of accommodation.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10I live in this hostel from June this year.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12I'm fighting with my dependency,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15I'm sober for five months,
0:41:15 > 0:41:17with one lapse, one-day lapse,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19and...I'm doing well.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Let's go through to the dining room.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Everyone does need to eat and that, and, like you say,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26some of the people in this hostel and that,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28they don't have their main meals and that
0:41:28 > 0:41:32and the only free meal they do get are the Pret sandwiches, so...
0:41:32 > 0:41:33I mean, it is a godsend.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35You all right? How you doing?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40John and Wojciech both have their favourites.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41Er...
0:41:41 > 0:41:43I like the duck wraps.
0:41:43 > 0:41:44Erm...
0:41:44 > 0:41:48Why don't you have enough ham and pickle?
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Erm...
0:41:50 > 0:41:51I don't know if it's in there.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- They are the best.- Yeah.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Yeah, I like... I like the duck wrap.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58I'll have this one.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00New one.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03We certainly couldn't afford to make those things ourself,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06so it's something people look forward to,
0:42:06 > 0:42:10rely on, it's fresh, good food that's available to people
0:42:10 > 0:42:13who don't have to go rummaging in bins, you know,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16and they keep their dignity, and that's very important.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Since I moved into the hostel I've put a lot of weight on!
0:42:21 > 0:42:25For David it's the end of the night and a job well done.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27I just hope on our side of things
0:42:27 > 0:42:30that we get bigger and bigger and bigger
0:42:30 > 0:42:32and that we can help more people.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35I'm just happy that there is someone doing it,
0:42:35 > 0:42:39because homeless people need some kind of help to get in charities
0:42:39 > 0:42:41and, you know, get a bit of food.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Pret aren't the only ones doing something about surplus food.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Major UK supermarkets and other food chains now donate at least
0:42:50 > 0:42:54some of what they used to throw away.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58For the homeless of Oxford Street and around London, it's a life-saver.