Squatters evicted from Barking flat

Police vowed to use any legal means possible to protect the community after evicting squatters linked to a string of offences in Barking.

They left the two-bedroom flat in Ripple Road after extensive inquiries helped to secure an eviction notice with the private landlord.

Police said the flat had been left in poor condition and would need a thorough clean up and redecoration before being let to tenants.

Eastbury SNT Sgt Lucy Cenizo said: “Criminals are not welcome on the Eastbury ward. I will use any legal means available to me in order to protect the law-abiding community from those who seek to victimise them.”

A spokesman said: “The squatters were found to be known to police in connection with various offences.”

They left the ground-floor property on October 24. No arrests were made.