Help! - anyone know what to do about SQUATTERS?

[binkie]

An ex-hotel in our street (awaiting renovation) has been taken over. Definitely squatters - we know they've been ordered to leave (proper court order) but no enforcement. Probably around 40 or so, increasing. Noise all night long, dh saw at least three deals in the street last night.

Council noise team and police sympathetic (and have gone round there a number of times, after complaints from us and, so they tell us, other neighbours) but clear that they have powers only against "legitimate" occupants - so nothing can be done re squatters.

I am sure someone here will know how neighbours can co-ordinate in this kind of situation - websites, other suggestions for who to lodge complaints with - anything?

I would say that is rubbish. If people are making a noise or dealing drugs, I do not believe that the police/council cannot intervene simply because they are squatters. This gives squatters greater rights than legitimate occupiers. I suspect that it was the council who came up with this rather than the police. I'd complain again and ask them to refer you to the law/rules which indicate they cannot act against squatters.

If there is a court order against the squatters, I believe the police can arrest without a warrant, so don't believe they can't do anything about drug dealers.

There was someting in the newspaper about a family that had moved into an old ladys home that she was selling due to having to pay for nursing home costs. This family moved in and put a scruffy notice on the door saying do not enter, section 6 something or other and apparently it was illegal for anyone to enter, but surely not? Thats what the newspaper said though. Sounds hideous, hope you get some better advice soon.

That case was in Bath - they are out of there now. There's lots of coverage here which might have something useful in it. (if you do a site search on 'squatters' you'll get a couple of pages of stuff)

Sounds miserable, you have all my sympathies, like the others I am sure that the police aren't powerless if they are dealing in the street! After all they wouldn't be if you went out and did it too.

binkie - just an idea, every time there is even a bit of noise call the environmental heath (or noise team). When they are having to come out all the time to deal with these people maybe they might be more keen to act in getting rid of them! Make yourself a nuisence. Keep a noise dairy. The more you go on at the council the better.

I agree......keep calling the police, council etc and make a nuisance of yourselves. When you are being more of a pain to them than the squatters then maybe they'll do something about it.

Thank you all.

Very sensible on the diary & calling - police have told us they are also hearing constantly from our other neighbours (and that last night was a rave the squatters had even advertised). Feeling besieged but no longer so alone. Freckle, thanks - we have made special mention this morning of the dealing activity dh saw.

Here is the advice given to me years ago by a maintenance manager at a housing trust. The quickest way to get rid of squatters is hire a large and frightening man with a large and vicious dog to break in and squat with them. He takes in a sledgehammer and smashes the toilet, sinks and bath as soon as he arrives. The cost of putting this damage right is much cheaper than court action to remove squatters. It is also resolved in no time at all.

Not that I'm advocating anyone do this, of course...

... well as I've just seen them go through the communal wheelie bin, strew what they don't want around the street and then take a cr*p behind it ... hmm

Well, this time I called the Street Environment Team.