Asylum seekers have been caught shoplifting thousands of pounds worth of designer gear from West End stores, according to reports.

The organised gangs were allegedly seen raiding stores including Ralph Lauren, John Lewis and Liberty before heading back to their taxpayer-funded Holiday Inn.

A private security guard who blew the whistle on the racket complained police failure to tackle the issue had left the area 'verging on lawlessness'.

Two migrants were watched by a reporter meeting up at a Holiday Inn in Wembley last Thursday.

The pair - who reportedly had bags lined with tin foil to confuse security systems - jumped Tube ticket barriers before leaving Bond Street station.