This is a write-up following a telephone interview with a film team working the grounds at St. Agnes place.
This is a write-up following a telephone interview with a film team working the grounds at St. Agnes place.
From what could be seen the police had been waiting with about 12 marked police vans and about 5 unmarked vans behind the Oval. The people in the unmarked vans were wearing different uniforms, as common practice with some riot police but also external staff, there were no easily visible markings. Instead they wore helmets marked with “MP” and a number (the same number for teams of 5 or 6 of them).
At around 10 it was possible for reporters and some supporters to stand right at the front of the barrier the police set up, at the South Side of St.Agnes place. By then demolition people in green uniforms, marked “Security” on their back, were going from house to house with heavy tools. They forced their way in destroying and smashing the doors to the houses.
At around 11.30 regular police stepped in place of the riot police guarding the lines. Reporters and journalists were asked to leave and stop filming, including the BBC. Eventually most of them were ushered into the playground that used to be the 1 o’clock club. Saying that two or maybe more journalists were allowed into the cordon, cynical people suggested they represented the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard (this unconfirmed information).
A Channel 4 reporter was overheard speaking to someone from his team who was in one of the houses and apparently has been there for the last two weeks. Lambeth council workers handed out a specially printed press pack two all journalists stating a large amount of very suspicious numbers of what and how much is owed by the St.Agnes place residents in rent and council tax.
Apparently the Rastafarian temple is allowed to stay (no. 28-34?)
Good luck to all the residents. Tune into Wireless FM broadcasting live during the siege.
From what could be seen the police had been waiting with about 12 marked police vans and about 5 unmarked vans behind the Oval. The people in the unmarked vans were wearing different uniforms, as common practice with some riot police but also external staff, there were no easily visible markings. Instead they wore helmets marked with “MP” and a number (the same number for teams of 5 or 6 of them).
At around 10 it was possible for reporters and some supporters to stand right at the front of the barrier the police set up, at the South Side of St.Agnes place. By then demolition people in green uniforms, marked “Security” on their back, were going from house to house with heavy tools. They forced their way in destroying and smashing the doors to the houses.
At around 11.30 regular police stepped in place of the riot police guarding the lines. Reporters and journalists were asked to leave and stop filming, including the BBC. Eventually most of them were ushered into the playground that used to be the 1 o’clock club. Saying that two or maybe more journalists were allowed into the cordon, cynical people suggested they represented the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard (this unconfirmed information).
A Channel 4 reporter was overheard speaking to someone from his team who was in one of the houses and apparently has been there for the last two weeks. Lambeth council workers handed out a specially printed press pack two all journalists stating a large amount of very suspicious numbers of what and how much is owed by the St.Agnes place residents in rent and council tax.
Apparently the Rastafarian temple is allowed to stay (no. 28-34?)
Good luck to all the residents. Tune into Wireless FM broadcasting live during the siege.
e-mail:
