An MP is calling for the Home Office to take action after it emerged that more than 600 asylum seekers have been packed into a hotel in Crystal Palace.

Steve Reed has written to the immigration minister James Brokenshire MP after Croydon Council’s housing enforcement team discovered overcrowding at the Queen’s Hotel in Church Road.

Inspectors found one of the buildings had 500 people sleeping in it and another building, which is supposed to accommodate 68, had 100 people in it.

There were more than four people living in en-suite rooms and they found one room was occupied by nine people.

And Mr Reed said he has received complaints from people living nearby about noise, intimidation and anti-social behaviour by the asylum seekers in the hotel.

He wants the immigration minister to meet with him and the Lewisham West and Penge MP Jim Dowd to discuss their concerns.

The Croydon North MP said: "I am furious that the Home Office didn’t consult either the local community or elected representative about plans to house more than 600 asylum seekers in the area.

"The hotel is on the edge of our small but thriving shopping centre in a highly residential area.

"It seems highly inappropriate to place so many asylum seekers in an area like this without warning or preparation.

"I am demanding an urgent meeting to discuss local residents’ concerns.

"I am worried about the safety of the people living in the hotel, the sudden conversion of the hotel into a bed and breakfast hostel without consultation, and the impact of an extra 600 people suddenly arriving in the neighbourhood."

A Croydon Council spokesman said: "Our enforcement officers have visited Queen's Hotel and can confirm the occupancy of the rear building has been reduced to 68 to comply with its licence.

“The occupancy of the main building has also been reduced to no more than four unrelated people sharing one room.

“We are satisfied that the accommodation is adequate now these issues have been resolved.

“We will be following up with weekly visits to ensure the management of the building is to a good standard.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are taking urgent steps with our housing providers to reduce the number of people living at the Queens Hotel in Crystal Palace.

“We have ensured that the numbers in accommodation at this location meet appropriate requirements.”