The 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park must be respected, the Prime Minister has said after pictures appeared to show homeless migrants using it as a camp.

Photos were published this week that reportedly showed an eastern European group sleeping rough in the area around the memorial that serves as a tribute to the victims of the July 7 bombings in London.

Terror attack survivor Jacqui Putnam was quoted as saying: "This is shocking behaviour and deeply offensive to the families of those who died and the survivors."

Asked whether David Cameron believes local authorities should take action to ensure the memorial is kept clear of rough sleepers, his spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister is very clear that this is an important memorial for those who lost their loved ones or were injured or affected by the attack.

"It is there to rightfully remember and respect those victims and it should be treated as a place of remembrance and respect.

"It is clearly something for the local authority to be dealing with. From what I have seen, it looks as though action has been taken to make sure it can be that place of memorial and respect."

The 7/7 memorial has 52 steel pillars, each representing one of the victims killed in the attacks carried out by four suicide bombers on three Tube trains and a bus in central London in 2005.

Mr Cameron is expected to visit the memorial as part of commemoration events to mark the 10th anniversary of the outrage next week.