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CS used in second raid on Bradford Squat

Iskra | 22.01.2006 11:06 | Free Spaces | Repression

Police have raided the squat on cecil avenue a second time CS gassing two of the occupants.

Squatters gassed by police in illegal eviction Bradford.

The squat on Cecil rd in Bradford has now been raided a second time, following the first illegal eviction and reoccupation (see previous post). Police returned to the address with the landlord, two vans and dogs on Friday night, the door was opened slightly to explain the situation at which point the police forced their way into the building, spraying the two people who opened the door with CS gas. The police then arrested all 6 occupants in the house for offences varying from attempted burglary to assaulting police and resisting arrest. Attempts to explain that the building was a squat and that we had a right to be there were met with contempt- “why don’t you just buy a house like everyone else?” and “fucking tramps”. Neighbours sympathetic to the squatters who came onto the street to explain the situation to the cops were told to get back into their houses.

Everyone was then taken to Bridewell police station- and the squatters’ key- despite numerous attempts to explain that it was our lock and our key- given to the landlord. People were held for about 7 hours before being released- the eastern European squatters without charge and without even being interviewed for their “attempted burglary”. English occupants were cautioned for resisting arrest and then released. After much argument between us the police and our solicitor the cops admitted they shouldn’t have given away the key and called the landlord who was made to return the key and possession of the property to the squatters. The house has now been reoccupied; we are considering legal action against the police and/or landlord and would appreciate any advice or assistance anyone has to offer.

Iskra
- e-mail: bradfordcalling@yahoo.com

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

Never ever open the door ever ever ever

25.01.2006 15:54

Its always sad when your squat gets busted, but one thing makes me a bit frustrated about reading this account.

Namely, why was the door opened? If the door wasn't opened the cops can''t force entry, no-one gets tear-gassed and no-one gets evicted.

Never ever ever ever open the door to pigs or the landlord, whatever they say. Speak to them from an upstairs window, through the letterbox or shout through the door.

Again, just to make this clear: Never ever ever ever open the door to pigs or the landlord.

Is that clear enough?

maybe i'll say it again: Never ever ever ever open the door to pigs or the landlord, whatever they say.

Good luck cracking a new place. I hope everyone comes out of this ok. but please, keep that door closed!

take care, good luck

AN Dirty Squatter

squatter


legal ref

25.01.2006 17:25

I'm sure you know this already, but the bit of law you should need to 'do' the cops and possibly the landlord is section 6 of the Criminal law and public order act (I thin) 1977. Copies of the law and the notice that should be on your door are available at squall etc. It's basically illegal to use actual or threatened violence to enter someone's home, even if you are the landlord or acting as their agent.

see  http://www.squatter.org.uk/legal/section6.htm

anarchoteapot


to let the bastards in, or not to?

26.01.2006 00:35

Had to open the door really, the cops we're ready to put it through and we didn't want the hassle of putting the frame back together and the dog van was round the back and we had our own dogs in the house which we didn't want savaged, plus we'd rather get gassed than bitten any day.

I guess its just a tactics thing there's no certain do or don't as far as i can see for example at the squat before the shearbridge we didn't let the landlord in and he smashed the windows and climbed in- we got thrown out by the pigs as a result- he accused us of gaining entry through breaking the windows! at the shearbridge we let the same guy in he walked about and had to fuck off once the pigs who we also let in- told him what the craic was, i.e he'd have to take us to court, we're still there 3 months later. On the other hand the crow in leeds didn't let the cops in they explained through a letterbox as you suggest and as a consequence got their door smashed off its hinges and one guy got badly bitten by one of the pig's dogs.

as for our legal rights, the pigs can do more or less what the fuck they like and they know it- landlords the same a squat opposite claremont site got evicted by some bastard with a gun a couple of months ago don't think he knew about section 6, don't really think he gave a fuck either...

yeah maybe we shouldn't have let them in on cecil avenue- maybe we should have let them in at the squat mentioned above- fuck knows... just keep squatting!!

Iskra
mail e-mail: bradfordcalling@yahoo.com


open the door?

27.01.2006 14:15

I know its nice to believe that the door will protect you from all who are outside wanting to come in, but as pointed out, it doesn't always work like that.

In the case of landlords, isn't it better if possible that they appreciate that you are making a home out of and looking after their building?

If the police think you are a burglar and there is no section 6 on the door that they approach they will just break the door damage and you will be forcefully arrested, I dont see keeping the door closed saving you in that situation!

So I guess rather than just following your door closed rule no matter what, the best thing to do is to use your head and assess whats the best thing to do in a situation - even if that is choosing the best way to be arrested! The police do make mistakes as has been proven in Bradford and In Leeds also last week, and there is not much you can do about that sometimes apart from complain about it afterwards!

Kluska
mail e-mail: pip_is_Crazy@hotmail.com