FIVE people were arrested as police broke up a squatters' rave in a filthy former pub left in squalor where several people were injured.

Thirty people were inside The Lectern pub in Pelham Terrace, Lewes Road, Brighton, when 20 officers swooped at 10.28am yesterday.

After forcing entry, five of the occupants were arrested on suspicion of abstracting electricity, including one man who was found hiding in the building following a police search.

Two people received hospital treatment for injuries believed to have been caused whilst they were in the squat, which was left in a vile condition with rubbish all over the floor.

Several other people had sustained injuries but refused any medical treatment.

The Lectern pub shut a year ago but was given community asset status two weeks ago to give residents six months to try to come up with a rescue passage to return it to its former glory.

Chief Inspector Katy Woolford said: "Although this incident did require a significant police response it was important to deal robustly with those inside, and to secure the premises quickly as people had been hurt and there is clear evidence of criminality.

“This was achieved in less than an hour.

"The building was in a state of squalor. The internal fabric of the building had been smashed, graffiti was sprayed on most walls and fixtures inside were destroyed.

"We have made arrangements for the building to be secured to stop re-entry and to prevent any further disruption to the local community.

"We would like to thank local people for their patience during this incident."

Officers are carrying out enquiries to try and determine how the injuries and damage were caused and several power tools were recovered thought to have been stolen from vans in and around Brighton.

Peter Varley, a student and cleaner who has lived next door to The Lectern for two years, said: “It’s pretty weird living next door to it.

“I could hear this loud music through my walls all the time.

“I called the police and they told me that they’d be evicted within seven to 10 days, but I just couldn’t wait for them to leave for good.

“I’ll celebrate with a nice bottle of wine.

“It’s such a shame because I used to go in there myself and it was a good little pub with a decent open mic night.”

Officers had been called to reports of three separate incidents of violence overnight on Saturday at the address.

On each occasion despite officers arriving and offering assistance no-one from the squat would provide any account of what had allegedly occurred or even identify themselves as the people who called.