LONDON, January 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- With Photo
On Friday 14th January The Sheriffs Office successfully evicted 30 squatters from a 10 bedroom, GBP10 million house in Broadlands Road in Highgate, North London.
With a team of 8 high court enforcement officers, 10 security officers, a dog team and 4 police officers, the eviction took place at 2pm with the site cleared in under an hour.
Acting on behalf of their client, property owner Albert Abela, The Sheriffs Office used a Writ of Possession to gain High Court approval to enter the building, by force if necessary, and take possession of the property by evicting the squatters.
The squatters, mostly East European with some Brits, are led by Latvian Jason Riddick, who has chosen to live for free by squatting in various properties in Highgate.
Riddick was the last person to leave, and as he left, laughing nonchalantly, said he knew where he was going next. Another squatter, carrying bedding, was heard commenting that it was only a fifteen minute walk.
The client was extremely pleased the eviction went so smoothly, thanking The Sheriffs Office for their fast and efficient help, particularly as the writ was only issued the morning of the eviction to prevent a planned party from taking place, where more damage might be caused.
David Carter, Director of The Sheriffs Office, commented:
"We are delighted to have assisted Mr. Abela with this high profile case and are pleased the squatters left without resistance. We believe they knew the eviction was today, as they were waiting with their bags already packed. Unfortunately, I suspect they are now moving on to cause a similar headache for yet another property owner."
Notes to Editor
The Sheriffs Office are authorised High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEO). They enforce judgments of GBP600 and over on behalf of commercial and private clients and execute writs of possession to repossess land and property for landlords. The figures provided by the Ministry of Justice show that the national average recovery rate is 58p in the GBP1 of all enforceable cases. The Sheriffs Office recovery rate is 93p in the GBP1, 60% higher than the industry average.
The Sheriffs Office are also certificated bailiffs, recovering unpaid rent and repossessing property for landlords though Common Law, and offer debt collection and tracing services.
A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
The Sheriffs Office - http://www.thesheriffsoffice.com
Share this article