Exclusive: Squatters take over former Hackney Central police station
Occupied: the now-closed Hackney Central Police Station. Photograph: Hackney Citizen
Squatters have moved into the former Hackney Central police station – in an act they say is not a political statement, but which perhaps betrays a healthy sense of irony.
The squatters are understood to have moved in around two weeks ago, and a “small group” of them are now living there.
The Hackney Citizen reported last month that the police station had been sold for £7.6m for use as a free school, after closing its doors in July last year.
When the Hackney Citizen visited the police station on Thursday evening the paper was greeted by two of the occupiers and a couple of excitable dogs.
The squatters were bringing a trunk into the building.
Most of the building’s windows and doors are boarded up, but windows on some of the upper floors were open and lights could be seen inside.
A notice stuck to the front of the building stated that the building was under occupation, and that laws against the squatting of residential buildings did not apply.
‘Not political’
In a statement to the Hackney Citizen, the squatters said that a small group of occupiers had moved into the police station as they were currently homeless.
They said that they did not regard themselves to be activists. “This is not a ‘political occupation’,” the statement said.
“Rather, as long-term Hackney residents, [we] have been forced to occupy this disused building because [we] have little if no access to affordable housing in Hackney.”
The squatters said that they were seeking to come to an agreement with the building’s owners to use it as a living space until it was needed for further development.
The Hackney Citizen understands that the squatters are unconnected to the group who took over 195 Mare Street last year. They have previously squatted elsewhere in Hackney, however.
Looking out: squatter on a balcony. Photograph: Hackney Citizen
Civil matter
It is not known whether civil proceedings have begun to evict the squatters.
Squatting of residential buildings was criminalised in 2012, but squatting of non-residential properties remains a civil matter.
In the statement from the occupiers, one squatter expressed concern about the trend towards squatting being treated as a criminal offence.
“If anybody were to speak to us they would quickly see that we are not criminals. We just need somewhere to live. We wish to be good neighbours and to look after the property while we are here,” they said.
The issue is understood to have been reported to the Metropolitan Police, who are thought to have advised people who contacted them that it must be treated as a civil matter.
The former Hackney Central Police Station, before it closed last July
Free school
The building was bought last month by the Education Funding Agency, for use by the Olive School – a free school currently based in temporary accommodation in Stoke Newington.
Neither the free school trust nor the Education Funding Agency could be reached for comment by the time of publication.
Speaking last month, Julie Bradley, Executive Head at the Olive School, said she was “honoured” to have acquired the site, which is Grade II listed in part.
“It’s a historic building, treasured by the local community…We feel incredibly honoured that we’re able to take over that history,” she said.
The Met Police had also not responded to a request for comment as the story was published.
Update: this article was amended at 11.20am Wednesday 23 April 2014. The story originally stated that the squatters were bringing what appeared to be an amplifier into the building. The squatters have since told the Hackney Citizen that it was in fact a trunk.
This is great! Why must buildings be allowed to stand empty at the discretion of owners and property developers when there’s homeless people lining the streets? Squatting is a logical response to a severe economic problem.
It’s great to see empty spaces being used. The new occupants seem like nice enough people. The price of living in London has gone through the roof in recent years and Im not surprised people are forced to take up living in empty properties to get by. Hopefully they can come to an arrangement with the owner.
Its a disgrace that buildings are left boarded up and empty while people sleep on the streets. Homelessness in the capital is increasing rapidly yet the government have done nothing to address this. Good on the squatters for sorting out their housing themselves. pass this police station everyday and am happy to see some life in it once again. Boarded up, empty buildings are a blight on our community, much better to see them being put to good use.
Long may they stay. The Free School that is planned for the site certainly does have a political stance. Stating on the website for the Tauheedul Free School organisation: “TFST schools embrace the Big Society”. I don’t want such a politically aligned school in this building, I’d rather it became housing (though inevitably expensive).
Good one me I say. Sounds responsible enough. Im fed up of buildings in Hackney being left empty
Good on them for recycling one of the 1.5 million empty buildings in the UK.
Homelessness has gone up by 62% in the last 2 years the latest figures say. The recent criminalisation of squatting in residential buildings has affected these figures.Time for a national housing debate and some housing solutions not criminalisation.
Rents in London are becoming unreal.
WELL DONE so happy no one should be homeless Hackney have to many escape rules not to re house people Hackney Council is a disgrace to our homeless
WELL DONE Guys
yeah 🙂
WOnderful to have disused buildings put into use. Squatting has a proud history in this country and is the only viable response to the housing crisis. However, I would argue that despite their denials, this is indeed a political act, as homelessness is a political issue! Good on them and hope they get a deal!
nice one its brightened up my day bit ironic eh all the best
They should have dressed up as police for the photo though.
Good on them, the council are doing next to nothing to sort out the increasing number of empty buildings in the borough. I have full support for anyone using an empty space for housing.
Street Party in Hackney Police Statioon. Free for all!!