Enfield: Nuisance neighbour asylum seekers placed in Enfield by another London borough have been warned to keep the peace.

An investigation by the Independent found that a property in New River Crescent, Palmers Green, is used by Camden Council for housing a large number of refugees.

At one point, at least 12 people were living in the three-bedroom property and the authority received numerous complaints about their behaviour.

And during a recent court case house tenant Stanislaw Meres was acquitted of murdering his landlord.

Despite the family of 12 being refused asylum they are still living in New River Crescent while the Home Office immigration department decides the next course of action.

The family have been living there since November 1999 and had the asylum application rejected a year later. They have since become the responsibility of Camden Social Services Asylum Team.

The complaints about the eastern European residents range from prostitution and accommodating illegal immigrants to producing excessive rubbish.

The house has been the subject of visits by Camden Council officials who warned the residents about their behaviour.

Residents have also reported police visits to the house.

At the Old Bailey Polish immigrant Stanislaw Meres, 25, whose last address was the house in New River Crescent, was acquitted of murdering Wlodzimierz Komisarek.

The court heard how there was not enough evidence to convict Mr Meres.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They have been causing a nuisance ever since they moved in here.

"There have been constant comings and goings and at one stage it seemed as if the family had multiplied over night with the amount of people in there."

Camden's asylum team manager has interviewed the residents to ascertain how many people are living in the house and to speak to them about their conduct.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "I can confirm that Camden has housed a family of 12 people who are entitled to be there.

"Camden has received complaints from a neighbour, the vast majority of which are issues for the police."

October 25, 2001 12:30