A “secret slum” in Edgware inhabited by alcoholic homeless immigrants is being cleaned up thanks to an exclusive report by the Times Series.

An expose published on the front page of this newspaper revealed at least eight Polish, Irish and Romanian men had been living in the derelict garages off Rectory Lane at various times over a two year period.

The head of a nearby neighbourhood watch group was appalled by the site she said “mirrored something from the third world”.

Neighbours complained that the rat-infested garages were causing a health issue and Barnet Council told the owners on numerous occasions over a two year period to clean them up.

No long term solution was ever put in place but following the report in the Times Series in March, which revealed the extent of the squalor, Environmental Health has stepped in and blocked access to the site.

A large wooden blockade installed by the authority has made entry to the stench-filled garages extremely difficult and Edgware Sergeant Dan Reid believes it is the first step in a series of planned measures that will rid the area of the problem.

He said: “Getting the issue on the front page really kick started the local authority to take action. I have to say they have done a fantastic job – the garages are still in disrepair but we have taken away this facility for street drinkers.”

The site has received planning permission for redevelopment and a full clean up is due to take place once the garages have been demolished, though no date has yet been given for this.

In the mean time, the site owners have been made to hire a pest treatment company to rid the area of rats and mice.

Barnet Council is also looking to introduce an alcohol exclusion zone through Edgware to prevent people drinking on the street.

The men sleeping rough in the garages have left after refusing help from homeless charities and although Sergeant Reid admits they have probably just moved to another area, he believes the current solution is the right one.

Sergeant Reid said: “With taking away the garages and introducing the drinking ban we are going to massively reduce crime in Edgware.

“In the short time since these boards went up we have seen a fall in the number of shop lifting and anti-social incidents in the immediate vicinity.

“I think this is an effective solution for Edgware but the no-drinking zone will tie it all together.

“I wish the owners had done more – this could have been sorted earlier. It has taken the Edgware ward panel and the local authority to step in and sort it out.”