Thirty people found living in 'illegally converted' east London police station

'Illegally converted': the old Barking police station
Barking and Dagenham Council
Sebastian Mann8 September 2015

Up to 30 people have been found living in a converted outbuilding of a disused police station in east London.

Council officials and police raided the property on Ripple Road, Barking, after receiving an anonymous tip-off.

When a team from Barking and Dagenham Council's Enforcement team turned up on Friday, they discovered evidence of as many as 30 tenants living in five rooms in what appeared to be a 'beds for hire' hostel.

Officials found wardrobes packed with clothes, a number of mattresses and a washing machine as well as an old TV in the property, which the council claims had been illegally converted after the police station was sold in 2013.

Evidence: Barking and Dagenham Council said some 30 people were thought to have been living in the property
Barking and Dagenham Council

Nobody was inside the building when police used a battering ram to break in so the council could investigate - but unmade beds, suitcases and a sign urging residents to do their washing up indicated it was lived in.

Cabinet member for crime and enforcement Cllr Laila Butt said: “Our war on rogue landlords will be relentless.

Obvious signs: A passive-aggressive poster was found inside the building
Barking and Dagenham Council

“We will not tolerate overcrowding in Barking and Dagenham and anyone making a mint out of others’ misery.”

Police and the council plan to speak to the owners of the building following the raid, which is the fourth of its kind in eight weeks, Barking and Dagenham said.

Deputy Borough Commander Supt Sean Wilson said: “Local neighbourhood police officers supported the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Enforcement Officers in their closing of this venue.

"The excellent work by the local authority has ensured that this venue can no longer be used for illicit purposes.”

Lived in: Evidence of occupation in the disused police station in Barking
Barking and Dagenham Council

Barking and Dagenham runs a borough-wide landlord registry scheme that it says serves to "protect tenants and responsible landlords".

Email privaterentedpropertylicensing@lbbd.gov.uk or call 020 8724 8898 to register or find out if your landlord has signed up.

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