A particular address on our estate became empty but due to Gateways rules the property could not be secured. On most occasions this probably would not be a problem, in this case squatters took over the property.

The squatters then proceeded to cause absolute mayhem in the area, they showed no respect to property or peoples gardens. When they or a stream of undesirable visitors came to and from the house they made undue noise encroached into decent residents gardens frightening many of them.

Ex-squatters: Good riddance have a nice day

Once the evidence was gathered the housing office, along with Gateway's legal department decided to go for a repossession order. All well and good, but when the squatters threatened them with their solicitors, so as not to cause embarrassment to themselves they decided not to proceed, I find it totally incredulous that they thought more about themselves than they did about local residents, some are their own tenants, safety.

That is when we stepped in, we informed them that we would take action and if they thought that the squatters would cause them embarrassment then we would shame them completely.

We were prepared to put our liberty at risk by "squatting" with the squatters to put them under pressure to leave. We had arranged for the local press to get involved in reporting the action.

The council then managed to get the necessary paper work cleared for the eviction but stated it would take a further 6 weeks to enforce.

Gordon Wang our Vice Chairman got himself involved and decided that it the councils solicitors were going to drag their feet he would intervene. The legal department was not only uncooperative but downright rude.

Gordon had conversations with the bailiff's office were completely opposite, and assurances from the bailiff that once he had received the relevant paperwork then he would act as quickly as possible. Taking the situation one step further Gordon managed to set a date with the bailiff and informed the police of the day and time for them to on hand if needed to help evict the squatters.

When Gordon spoke to the housing office, the manager thought it would still be a considerable length of time before it would be sorted, Gordon informed him to be ready a week on Monday for the repossession order to be implemented.

The councils solicitors were very unhappy with Gordon and a heated discussion took place they did not appear to be to happy with Gordon, on threats the the local paper they said they would have the paper work ready.

Why on earth should we have to make so much effort and take up so much time to do what the local housing office and other departments should be doing. We do it because we care, if the agencies could show the same amount of care then we would not have a fraction of the problems as we have had in the past.

We were on hand just to photo the antisocial missfits when they were evicted and say a fond fairwell.