Massive brawl between police and squatters breaks out at disused London warehouse

Police armed with batons and riot shields clashed with squatters of a disused north London warehouse after the owners attempted to change the locks. 

Anstasia House near Green Lanes in Haringey has been a squat for seven years, with supportive neighbours supplying those living there with food and essentials.

But on Monday morning, the building’s owners, along with Met Police officers, tried to change the locks as squatters and locals attempted to stop them.

This resulted in a stand-off followed by a skirmish as the crowds broke through the police line.

The dramatic clash was captured on film and posted on social media.

Some squatters claimed they had been handled roughly by police. 

Meanwhile, officers said they had suffered minor injuries in the confrontation.

‘Vulnerable people don’t deserve to be pushed out’

One squatter who was there that day – Aaliyah, 22 – claimed the police ‘lost their cool’ in the incident and hit people.

They told Metro: ‘The police were swinging batons, they were being aggressive, they lost their cool. I was hit.’

Aaliyah said the squat was a refuge for those who had fallen through the cracks in society and that locals were supportive of them.

They added: ‘We feel like this is a symptom of everyone struggling at the same time.

‘I really want this to set a precedent that vulnerable people don’t deserve to be pushed out first. Local people are very supportive, they bring us food and other stuff.’

Another squatter said: ‘It was like a stampede, we had to pull our friends out. We are peaceful.

The building is a business premises [that is] not being used. We have nowhere else to go.’

A mother-of-two, who lives nearby, said the community was on the squatters’ side. 

She said: ‘They are doing no harm. I’ve brought them food before. There are so many homeless [people] in London.

‘The squatters are friendly and have become part of the community. The police have to do their job, but these are not violent people.’

A local business owner agreed, saying: ‘They are as good as gold, they are down on their luck and need somewhere to go.

‘I’ve chatted to them, many don’t have family or have had problems and have nowhere to turn.’

Footage of the clash has been widely circulated, showing police vans and Met officers surrounding the building. 

The squatters claimed the owners attempted to cut their way through the front door but were blocked by people inside. 

The people who live in the building have now posted lookouts outside to raise the alarm if police or the building’s owners come again. 

The Met said their officers were met with violence as they were trying to clear space for the owners to change the locks as part of a legal process to repossess the building. 

The squatters claim that, as the premises is an unoccupied commercial property, they have the right to remain under the law. 

What has the Met said?

The force said police had faced a ‘hostile’ group of up to 60 people and that five officers had been assaulted.

It said in a statement: ‘At 1.06pm on Monday, May 18, officers responded to reports of violent disorder at an address on Tavistock Road, Haringey. 

‘Hostility from a large group of people began after contractors attempted to change the property’s locks, resulting in between 50 and 60 people behaving aggressively towards the workers.

‘Police established a cordon to protect the contractors and ensure the work could be carried out. The violent behaviour continued, and included the group throwing objects at officers from height. 

‘Five Met officers were subject to assaults during the disorder but did not require further medical attention in hospital.

‘Investigations have been launched into these offences. No member of the public reported any injury.

‘Enquiries are ongoing. At this stage, no arrests have been made.’ 

MORE: This little-known rail strike could disrupt travel from London over the weekend

MORE: Two men who murdered mum in drive-by outside church are jailed for life

MORE: ‘I played padel with a GB star – inside the rise of London’s fastest-growing sport’