Squatters evicted from warehouse home
Tuesday 13 May 2008
A warehouse that was home to migrant squatters has been emptied and secured after action by council enforcement officers and police.
The warehouse was a source of concern for the local Neighbourhood Watch and other residents who complained that a large number of Eastern European males were living inside the dilapidated warehouse at 19 Bernard Road, N17, and lighting fires to keep warm.
The council also received reports that children had been seen playing inside the property and that it was easily accessible and was a potential danger.
So, Haringey Council Enforcement officers last week joined with police from the Tottenham Green Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to take action against the freeholder, Daydome Limited, and force them to secure the property against squatters or other entrants.
The company had already failed to respond to a request to secure the property so were served a notice under Section 29 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982. This forces owners to secure their property within forty eight hours of the notice, or face prosecution.
At this point the company engaged contractors to secure the property and ask inhabitants to leave. Police from the SNT assisted by ensuring the property was empty before being secured.
Cllr Nilgun Canver, cabinet member for enforcement and safer communities, said:
"Well done. Again, we see partnership working in action. It is very sad if people have to take shelter in dilapidated properties like this but the concerns of residents must be addressed. We try to provide housing advice and information to any squatters when evicted from a property but we expect owners to be responsible and to secure their properties from misuse."
Sgt Iain Williams from Tottenham Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team said:
"I am glad to see that the residents of Ashby Road are happy with the work from Tottenham Green Safer Neighbourhoods. This work would not have been possible if it wasn't for the residents coming forward and telling us their concerns. This is a perfect example of the local community and Haringey Police coming together to achieve good results."
Ash Green Neighbourhood Watch spokesperson, Wendy Cooke, said:
|Back to top"After months spent wondering how we could address issues such as flytipping and squatters I don't think any of us expected anything to happen so quickly. It's fantastic to be listened to and to know that we have a group of people from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team and the council Neighbourhood Management who take us seriously - and really do follow up on things. We've had two meetings in two months and they've already helped us create stronger links and friendships and a real sense of community."
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