Foreign squatters who took over frail pensioner's £590k home finally booted out

A gang of foreign squatters who took over a pensioner's home have finally been kicked out. The suspected criminals, believed to be from Eastern Europe, targeted the £590,000 property in Chingford, north east London, while the occupant was out.

The woman, aged in her 80s, was visiting her 102-year-old friend when the alleged squatters moved in and started to run riot. The Metropolitan Police initially refused to kick them out as there was confusion over whether it was a criminal or civil issue. However, the force has now taken action and removed the group.

Locals claimed up to 25 people crammed into the house after seizing it. The owner was forced to live with family in the West Country while the issue was dealt with.

As reported by the MailOnline, a woman involved with the group has been accused of stealing from a charity shop. Police said a teenager had been arrested on suspicion of theft after failing to appear at court.

Officers swooped on the home last Friday and arrested a 19-year-old woman. Meanwhile, the other occupants were told to leave and an eviction notice was served.

Despite regaining the property, the homeowner has since suffered a serious health condition. All of her furniture has been removed and piled up in the front garden amid claims it had been ruined by the squatters.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police said: "On Friday, June 20, at 10.40am, police attended an address in Chingford following reports of squatting. Officers had been working with the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams and in partnership with the local authority to resolve this issue and support the property owner.

"A 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of squatting in a residential building and immigration offences. She has been bailed pending further enquiries. She was also served an eviction notice and formally evicted from the property.

"The owner was informed and the property was secured by officers. Officers continue extra patrols in the local area following this matter and while further enquiries are carried out."

Meanwhile, local MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith branded the squatters as "scum". The former Tory leader has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper demanding a change in the rules around squatting.

He said: "I am very pleased that the police have taken action at last and these 'squatters' have finally been kicked out and some arrested,' Sir Iain said last night.

"This was not the only property that they and others have occupied causing mayhem in our area but it has illustrated how appalling the official response is."

As well as occupying the home, a resident claimed the squatters caused mayhem in the street. The situation left people in the area "scared to leave the house".

The resident said: "They would throw rubbish, thieve from the shop, urinate on people's walls, loud noise until 1/2am in the morning.

"They were always stealing. We're here and we're scared to leave the house. We don't want to go on holiday. This needs to stop. The law needs to be changed."