For more than three months, a group of squatters has been occupying the former Boilermaker and White Lion pubs in the centre of Putney. But while the two shuttered buildings sit on some of the most valuable real estate in southwest London, their new unofficial residents have turned daily life into a nightmare for those living above and beside them.
Putney.news has now spoken to several neighbours who describe a situation of extreme noise, escalating tension, and near-total silence from the authorities. All of those interviewed asked to remain anonymous, citing serious safety concerns and fear of retaliation.
“We’re woken up at random hours by screaming, hammering, dogs barking, and bass so loud our plates rattle,” said Peter (not his real name), who lives above the Boilermaker. “We’ve had nights with less than two hours’ sleep before work. It’s been hell.”
His neighbour John (also not his real name) lives next to the White Lion and says his job has been affected. “I’ve had to call in sick several times due to sheer exhaustion,” he said. “If I worked shifts, I’d have been fired by now.”
Residents describe a constant cycle of loud music, shouting, antisocial behaviour and what appears to be criminal damage. Some report seeing roof tiles and internal fittings removed and carried out. Others say objects have been thrown from windows, there is constant hammering and drilling, and that dogs are regularly heard barking through the night.
“You can’t live like this. It’s not just noise. It’s fear.”
Several residents said they felt trapped in their own homes. One individual described hearing threats shouted at neighbours and at a plumber that came to fix a water leak; another said they no longer felt safe walking to their front door at night. Others reported waking up to smashed glass or disturbances as late as 5am.
At least one resident has been threatened, and when the landlord of a neighbouring building went around to talk to the squatters, he told us it “almost led to an altercation. Fortunately it didn’t, but in a volatile situation like this, things can get out of hand and they almost did.”
Noise complaints “vanish into the void”
According to those affected, complaints to Wandsworth Council’s Noise and Nuisance Team go largely unanswered. Peter estimates he’s contacted them more than 20 times. “They came out a few times, said the noise was unacceptable, and then disappeared. No enforcement, no follow-up.”
John said he had emailed the team more than 50 times. “Nothing happens. The out-of-hours line ends at 3am, and that’s when things are just getting going in there.” The noise team stop taking complaints at midnight, they said, and the squatters appear to know this, with music levels jumping almost immediately after midnight.
Putney.news contacted the council’s Noise and Nuisance Team, which operates out of Merton Council, speaking to someone after seven minutes of navigating no less than six phone menus. The person that finally answered told us they couldn’t answer any questions and we should email instead.
We have asked for a log of complaints, inspection records, and any enforcement measures under consideration and will update this story with any response.
Police inaction, stalled court process
Residents say the police have been involved — but that there has been little progress. In one case, officers turned up after a tradesperson was allegedly threatened by a squatter. They have taken multiple statements from affected tenants who have testified to witnessing criminal behaviour, but weeks later, the situation remains unchanged.
A possession order has been granted by the Crown Court and transferred to the High Court for enforcement, but neighbours say they’ve been told the wait for a bailiff could be weeks longer.
“Everyone just shrugs and tells us to wait. Meanwhile, nothing’s being done,” said one neighbour. “It feels like we’ve been abandoned.”
None of the residents we spoke to has received any contact from their ward councillors. Some have written to them and others in the council and received no reply. Others say they’re unsure who to turn to.
“We’ve got no information, no support, and no idea when this ends,” said Peter. “It’s taken over our lives.”
Putney.news has contacted the Police and Wandsworth Council for comment.
