The Squatters Are Back - In Style...

I know it's a bank holiday, but I just can't stay away ! Especially after reading this report in the Telegraph.

A group of squatters has moved into a mansion worth £4.5 million in Hampstead, north London. Thankfully we don't have squatters rights here !

They have been living for free in the nine-bedroom house, since apparently finding it empty and boarded up about a month ago.

After "fixing up" the mansion, which has a half-acre garden, the group padlocked the gates and displayed a sign warning that they would "prosecute" any unwanted visitors.

The property sits round the corner from a street known as Millionaire's Row, which has been home to members of the Saudi royal family, the steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and the publisher Richard Desmond.

One of the squatters, who gave his name as Phil, 37, said: "I have squatted in some very nice houses but this is probably the most expensive.

"What is a £4.5 million house doing empty for three years? If you have got empty houses like this then give people like us somewhere to live."

Solicitors from the company which owns the house will attempt at a County Court hearing later this month to have the squatters removed. They have taped a warning notice to the house's front gate.

However, the squatters have fixed their own message in a front window. It reads: "Any attempt to enter in to this property without our permission is a criminal offence. If you attempt to enter by violence or by threatening violence we will prosecute you."

Earlier this year two groups of squatters were evicted from multi-million pound mansions in London after being ordered out by the courts.

A group of young artists had been living in a £22.5 million, Grade II*-listed property in Mayfair, since before Christmas.

A second group had been living in two adjoining blocks, worth £11 million in total, which overlook Hyde Park.

Seems the recession isn't affecting them at all.....

Until next time.

Jackson Jr.