Thank you to everyone who came down in solidarity. Big thanks to all.

This is what occurred: Reliance security company responded to an alarm that went off inside the building. The police were then called. The first copper on scene was prepared to depart saying that 'they have squatters rights and it is a civil matter', and then Reliance called the police again and 3 riot vans and 5 police cars turned up.

Whilst some of the Reliance personnel tried to take sitex metal sheets off, in order to gain access, the police suited up and arrived at the main door with battering ram in hand.

The occupants were given the option of leaving now with no charge ('leave now and you can walk'), or stay and get nicked. After a group meeting, the occupants decided to remain. The police (with riot shields and shouts of 'stand down, stand down') then bashed down the door, detained the occupants and bailed them to the street, to return to Trinity police station in May, on suspicion of criminal damage.

They were allowed leave with cheers for each person resonating from the crowd.

There were a couple of comedy moments: namely a conversation between Reliance security and squatters:
Squatter: Can I tell you a joke?
Reliance: Go on then
Squatter: What do call a man with no shins?
Reliance: What?
Squatter: Tony!

---and an old classic from the sargent in charge: 'Can I speak to the organiser, or your spokesperson?' Amazing, they never learn do they?!

--- A battering ram police officer was hilariously referred to by their colleagues as 'Captain Chaos', which caused the occupants much constant mirth. 'Whose Captain Chaos then, when's he coming!'

141 Ashley Road has been empty for nearly a year now since the previous occupants (who were squatters) were evicted and empty for longer before that. It is on the corner before the shops on Ashley Road and Grosverner Road, and the garden is regularly used for drug deals. Locals complain about this, yet Places for People have done nothing about this property for years.

87 Ashley Road whose roof was occupied for 3 weeks during eviction resistance, remains empty to this day, (despite Places for People's assurances that it would be turned into affordable housing.)

The director of places for people receives a salary of £250,000 a year.

Squatters, self-housing themselves, are taking matters into their own hands, and the onus off social housing corporations to house them. The argument that squatters delay social housing is rubbished by the fact that 87 and 141 Ashley Roiad have remained empty for months and years after the eviction of squatters, and not turned into affordable social housing. It seems P4P are more concerned with selling off social housing stock on the private market as can be seen with the new flats up at the top of Ashley Road.

This is a company that claims to be working to house people, yet it appears profit is the only motivation they have.

and another joke from the day:
One of the riot vans had a sticker saying Operation Relentless which after investigation is a campaign of fear against 'those who commit crime': laughable.
 http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/operations_and_ini...less/