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.