While residents endure sleepless nights thanks to noisy and disruptive squatters, landlords of the occupied Boilermaker and White Lion buildings say they’re also paying a heavy price — both financially and structurally — as the situation drags on with no resolution in sight.
Gordon D’Silva owns the third and fourth floors of 12a Putney High Street. In a letter to the local head of the Metropolitan Police, Inspector Steve Burke, he criticised what he called a “dangerous delay” in police action and urged the force to reconsider pursuing a Closure Order.
“Are we really prepared to take this risk?” he wrote. “The police have an abundance of evidence to argue their case. Persistent nuisance and civic and criminal disorder requires a speedier response.”
D’Silva said the High Court possession process — which has already been granted but is awaiting enforcement — has become bogged down in delays thanks to a backlog in the courts, with the writ still unsealed weeks after submission. He fears that waiting for the High Court to act could result in further damage, more threats to tenants, and a worsening of the already volatile situation.
“There has been a profound impact on the well-being of my tenants,” he wrote. “It does appear their views have not been considered as equal to other variables such as police cutbacks and resource constraints.” He worries that it could be “another 4, 5, 6 weeks before this is resolved.”
Tenants and landlords alike report being told repeatedly that enforcement action is imminent, only to be met with further delays. The possession process began in the Crown Court before being moved to the High Court, which residents were told would allow for faster enforcement. But according to several sources, the process has dragged on for over a month, with no sign of enforcement.
“We keep being told ‘next week,’ but there’s no timeline,” said one resident. “It could be another month. No one knows.”
Meanwhile, police action appears to have been paused. Despite witness statements and what residents say is clear evidence of criminal behaviour, including broken windows, threats, theft and damage, no closure order has been pursued, seemingly to make way for the High Court repossession order.
D’Silva told Putney.news that the White Lion building, which includes Grade II listed elements, has already sustained serious structural damage. Ceiling tiles, fixtures and internal doors have been removed. Reports of people on the roof and objects being thrown from windows add to his concern that someone will be seriously hurt.
“These are heritage properties,” he said. “But more importantly, they’re occupied. People live here. And right now, they’re not safe.”
Legal limbo
Because squatting in commercial buildings is not a criminal offence, eviction must go through a civil court process. A possession order has been granted, but High Court enforcement has been slow.
Meanwhile, a closure order under antisocial behaviour laws — which would allow the police to act swiftly and seal the building for up to three months — has seemingly been put on ice.
D’Silva is calling on the Met to reverse that decision. “I’m profoundly sympathetic to the plight of young people in a broken housing system,” he wrote. “But this cannot be at the expense of others who are also struggling to live and work with dignity.”
Putney.news has contacted the Metropolitan Police for further information. We will update this story with any developments.
