Before the action, squatters outnumbered authorised tenants in both Sonning House and Culhan House and were responsible for thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.
Until recently, steel anti-vandal window screens and doors secured empty properties, which required regular checking by council staff to detect forced entry and illegal occupation. Now, anyone who tries to break in or set fire to vacant property triggers an alarm to a central control station, summoning Orbis security guards to the scene in minutes. The aim is to get all squatters out of the estate before ownership is transferred to a housing association.
Squatting has been considerably reduced … in Culhan House 23 of the 24 flats are secured by alarms.
