Police evict squatters living for “a couple of months” in empty Grimwade Street houses

A group of squatters found in derelict houses in Grimwade Street, Ipswich, had been living there for “a couple of months” police have said.

Officers were made aware of a group of people aged 20-40 living illegally in more than one empty house in Grimwade Street.

Police said they had to make several visits to remove the group, with the houses having been boarded up since.

Sergeant Vicky McParland said: “Officers have been aware of a varying number of people, aged between 20 and 40 years’ old, illegally residing in the derelict houses for a couple of months and have made more than one visit to remove squatters from the premises, which have now been secured and boarded up.

“Squatters are typically rough sleepers and are often vulnerable, which is why we work closely with the Ipswich Borough Council and a number of partner agencies, including the Ipswich Locality Homelessness Partnership, the Ipswich Housing Action Group, as well as health and social care organisations, to offer them access to accommodation and to the support they need.

“We also work closely with immigration officers from the Border Agency in these situations, who will remove those with EU treaty rights, who have no proof of work or are not seeking employment, or other foreign nationals who are here illegally. T

“hey will then be offered assistance with immigration applications.

“Two people discovered living in the Ipswich premises have since been deported.”