Man padlocked himself to lorry as police try to evict Brighton squatters

Supporters of the squatters climbed onto the roof of the building as bypassers watched, and one man allegedly tried to drive a vehicle at a bailiff.

Police were called to the garage on May 18 in Mighell Street, Brighton, and arrested a 26-year-old woman on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

Four people had broken into the garage weeks earlier and stayed there in their caravans, but were being evicted so work could start on the planned conversion of the garage into flats.

Philip Blount, planning agent for the project, said: "We had decided [when they broke in] that it would be easier to leave them there because if we moved them straight away we would end up needing more security. They were not doing any harm.

"Then as soon as our planning permission was done we carried out an eviction and unfortunately with these things they then make phone-calls and word got out so a lot of people turned up.

"At one point I think there were about seven people there as well as the four who had been living there.

"One man climbed on the roof and then once it started to rain he came down and he padlocked himself to his own lorry."

Sussex Police said they were first called at 8am following a report at that a bailiff and landlord had entered someone's home.

They had another call shortly after from a bailiff saying a man had become aggressive and tried to drive a vehicle at him.

A spokesman added: "It was established that bailiffs were acting lawfully in attempting to clear squatters from an old car wash and car park.

"Police liaised with both parties and reached agreement that the squatters needed to start leaving by 11am.

"However, after police left, more people arrived at the location attempting to climb on the roof and get into the property.

"Officers re-attended to prevent a breach of the peace. One man chained himself to a vehicle, but a key was provided to release him."

The 26-year-old woman arrested was later de-arrested.