Squatters move into Haringey Magistrates’ Court in Highgate

Squatters have moved into a derelict former police station and magistrates’ court in Highgate.

Tall hoardings were erected in May to keep squatters out of Haringey Magistrates’ Court, in Bishops Road, by new building owner and developer Bellway Homes. But a group of squatters found a way in three weeks ago, and in the last week they have put up a notice explaining their legal rights on one of the old court’s locked entrances.

They have also nailed a makeshift letterbox to the gate’s door and put up a sign with the warning: “Beware of the dogs”.

Bellway Homes has served the squatters with a possession notice but the developer will have to go to the High Court to enforce it.

Crime novelist Matthew Baylis, 43, of Bishops Road, said the squatters have been “very quiet”.

“Nobody likes the idea of illegal all-night raves but they haven’t done that so far,” he said.

A Bellway Homes spokesman said: “We are aware of the situation with the squatters, however we are not legally able to enter the building to evict them straight away.

“We still have security checking the court building and Telfer House throughout the day and night to prevent squatters breaking into these buildings.’’

“Until we obtain planning permission, we are unable to demolish the buildings, however we are doing our best to resolve the situation.”