(English) Violence as squatters evicted from £3m home

Around 20 officers from Avon and Somerset Police entered the Clifton Wood House in Bristol following reports of a late night party.

They left the property at 5am but returned around two hours later with six riot vans as they stormed the 18th century mansion.

Officers in full riot gear then carried out a forced eviction with trouble flaring outside as the 35 squatters were forced onto the street.

Eyewitnesses reported a 17-year-old male suffered a broken nose during the melee while one squatter claimed a pregnant woman was dragged from the mansion.

A number of streets were closed by police for much of the day as officers tried to manage the tense situation.

Local resident Minnie Crosse, 27, was passing the area at 11am when trouble was flaring up between officers and the squatters

She said: «It all kicked off, there was fighting and blood on the pavement.

«At one stage it looked like it was going to be too much for the police, they didn’t seem to know how to handle it.

«The eviction and violence were always going to happen and I’m glad it is done as it isn’t the sort of thing you would expect in Clifton.

«There have been numerous problems since they moved in. On one occasion I had to dodge as they threw a plastic bottle from the roof.

«I was scared as I had to walk through with my young child. I shouldn’t feel scared in my own neighbourhood.

«The sad thing is that if they had kept quiet and not caused problems it would have been okay – they’ve had it easy living in a luxury mansion for free.»

One of the squatters, Raoul Duke, 22, said the police behaved «horribly», claiming they dragged a pregnant woman from the property.

He said: «We were having a private birthday party when 20 police came into the living room and tried to turn off the speakers, hitting a few people on their way through.

«The Police were pushed back and they retreated but later on six vans and loads of cops arrived and forced us out.

«A 17-year-old had his nose broken during his arrest and his girlfriend was in a headlock as she tried to help him. It was horrible.

«There are now 35 homeless people now looking for somewhere to sleep tonight.»

Mr Duke denied the squatters had been a problem in their two months there and claimed they had a good relationship with most of the neighbours.

However there have been a number of recent reports of problems, with neighbours claiming the squatters have been hitting golf balls off the roof and holding late night parties.

The mansion was owned by local businessman Petros Birakos, who recently tried to sell the three-storey property through Knight Frank estate agency for £2.9 million.

However, Mr Birakos had the property repossessed and it is currently owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The mansion is located in the conservation area of Clifton and is approached through wrought iron electric gates.

It has an entrance hall, drawing room, family room, study, two cloakrooms, kitchen, utility room, sitting room, dining room, eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, playroom, vaulted cellar, wine storage, gym and indoor swimming pool.Avon and Somerset Police yesterday (Sun) confirmed 11 arrests were made a Cliftonwood House following the eviction of the squatters.

A police spokesman said officers arrived at the property at 10:30 am on Sunday to follow up complaints made about noise at Saturday’s night’s party.

However they came «under attack» from squatters who threw missiles from the roof of the £3 million mansion.

Backup was called and teams of riot officers arrived at the scene to carry out a full, forced eviction.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: «Nine people were arrested for public order offences and two for assaulting a police officer.

«A few officers suffered minor injuries.

«The property is now back in the hands of its rightful owner.»

Source: The Telegraph