London Museum Unveils 'Criminal' Exhibit
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- Criminal: An Untold Story of Homelessness, Resistance and Survival – a new installation by Gemma Lees displayed in the garden of the Museum of Homelessness in London, featuring crafts and newspaper headlines.
- Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act – the 2022 law that expanded police powers over “unauthorised” encampments, referenced on the exhibition’s bunting alongside historic statutes.
- Museum of Homelessness – now housed at Manor House Lodge in Finsbury Park, the museum also operates as a cold‑weather shelter and community support hub.
- Combined Homelessness and Information Network – reported over 13,000 rough sleepers in London in 2024‑2025, a 10% increase from the prior year and a 63% rise over ten years.
- Sun – the tabloid’s sensational headlines, such as “STAMP ON THE CAMPS”, are reproduced in the installation to expose media vilification of travellers and the homeless.
Why it matters: The exhibition amplifies public awareness of legal and media oppression, urging policymakers to address the 10% rise in rough sleepers, while homeless individuals gain a platform and the museum secures vital community support.
