Police gave the full details for the first time of how they arrested a squatter carrying stolen lead roof tiles during the White Lion clearance – the first criminal charges to emerge from Putney High Street’s months-long squatter occupation that has finally ended with court papers posted on the former Ramna restaurant.
Our local bobby PC Rachel Parry made the arrest and told a Met ward meeting last night that he was “the first person out the building” when they secured it, walking straight into police hands having stolen thousands of pounds worth of lead from the listed building’s roof. He’s now being processed through the courts on burglary charges.
The police account brings the squatter story full circle. The White Lion was the first Putney building occupied by the group, while the former Ramna restaurant, almost opposite, became their final stronghold before formal legal proceedings forced them out this week.
Police confirmed last tonight however the problem hasn’t disappeared – the group has simply relocated to East Putney, raising fresh concerns for residents in that area.
The criminal scale of the operation became clear when PC Parry revealed that occupied buildings were “stripped bare” during the months-long spree. The White Lion lost its entire roof, while other properties suffered similar asset stripping.
It’s official: pasted documents bring an end
Legal documents currently posted in Ramna’s windows show the complex court battle required to finally end the High Street occupation. District Judge Daley granted Mosser Limited final possession orders on September 12 for both the ground-floor restaurant at 41 Putney High Street and residential units above.
The sealed court orders, issued against “Persons Unknown,” followed a summer-long occupation. Separate legal notices list belongings abandoned by squatters: mattresses, drawer units, clothes, shoes and food items.
Police tonight admitted to confusion – both internally and in the community – over what powers they actually have regarding commercial property squatting. PC Parry explained officers have very limited authority to intervene, even when given evidence of break-ins.
When questioned why police didn’t act sooner at the former Lost Society bar despite having images of someone drilling locks, officers said they received photos “a few days later” and couldn’t prove the person remained inside. “They move on very rapidly,” PC Parry explained.
The challenge for police is clear: they need photographic evidence of someone committing a crime AND to catch them at the same building – difficult when squatters move locations quickly.
Officers are now working with landlords on preventive measures, advising installation of doors that are harder to break through. The Anti-Social Behaviour team has been coordinating responses across multiple properties.
With the first arrest proceeding through courts and formal possession secured at the High Street site, the systematic targeting of empty Putney buildings appears to be moving eastward rather than ending entirely.
