SQUATTERS were evicted from a pub during the coronavirus lockdown.

The people living inside the building in Middle Street were evicted on Thursday.

Some of those who were kicked out of the building, which once was The Globe pub, were homeless and self isolating with Covid-19 symptoms, it is claimed.

>> LIVE CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

Squatters group DIY Kodak Collective said: “For nearly a fortnight, the squatters had been quarantining themselves at the pub which closed its business in November 2019, with several of the residents experiencing symptoms of fever, bone aches, loss of smell and coughs.

“The residents were woken by the sounds of someone banging on the side door, demanding the squatters leave.”

Resolve Security, who conducted the eviction, said the action was taken after complaints from residents.

But the squatters claim they had a legal right to be in there.

Some bailiffs wore masks to protect themselves from the virus, while squatters’ belongings such as fridges and fire extinguishers were put out on the street.

DIY Kodak Collective said: “The men attempting to gain entry spent some time arguing before collecting crowbars from their van and attempting to use them to rip open the fire door.”

The eviction comes amid a nationwide lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Resolve Security said: “Above the Globe, there are flats that house about 70 people.

“They had caused residents in that area great alarm and distress by having a social gathering event the night before, playing loud music, shouting and screaming inside the building

“The landlord wanted Resolve Security to reason with them to ask them to leave their site.

“Resolve Security regularly patrols the city centre, do key holding for buildings, and check on the welfare of the street community, and liaise with multi agency partnerships including Sussex Police regarding these issues.”

The security company said it had captured the eviction on body camera, but could not release the footage due to GDPR reasons.

Sussex Police were approached for comment.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal.  Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund