After making the headlines earlier this year by taking over several famous London homes, it seems that a group of squatters are finding new homes in the country.
Less than two months ago, the peaceful gated community which is home to celebrities including Chelsea footballer Claude Makelele and actress Shilpa Shetty, was sent into a state of panic as squatters took hold of an empty mansion within the illustrious area.
The mansion lies just 200 yards from the members’ only tennis club, which is said to be a social hub for the wealthy locals of the 960-acre community in Weybridge, Surrey. As a result, residents, who have payed up to £10 million to live in the said location, fear that the value of the homes as well as the future serenity of the area hangs in the balance.
The BBC reports that the residents were sent a letter warning them that the squatters are 'known to police' and advising them to call Crimestoppers or Surrey Police, should they have security concerns.
That being said, it seems that the police may be powerless and unable to move the squatters. By law, they require a court order before they may move any of the group off the £3m property.
One resident told the BBC: "It does seem pretty extraordinary that the police can't do anything to get these people off the estate."
The property which the squatters have 'honed in on', has been empty for the past six years, after the owner reportedly met financial barriers during a planned development. 30-year-old Stefan Cybulski moved into the premises along with five other squatters at the end of April and cooks on a barbeque as there is no electricity.
He told the BBC: "It is legal for me to be here. I found the place on Google maps, so I came to have a look and the place was open.
"The locks had been broken off. No one was living here, it was completely open, so why not?"
A spokesman for the Surrey Police said that additional patrols had been put in place, but no violent behaviour had been reported.
He told the BBC:"Police in Elmbridge attended an address in St George’s Hill, Weybridge on Thursday 19 May following reports of a number of people entering an unoccupied property.
“Officers spoke with the people inside the property before notifying St George’s Hill security staff and the owners of the property, who are pursuing this as a civil matter.
"The Weybridge Safer Neighbourhood Team carry out regular high visibility patrols in the area anyone with any issues or concerns should call Surrey Police or call Crimestoppers."
Former residents of the once highly sought after area include Theo Paphitis from Dragon's Den, actress Hannah Gordon, Ringo Starr and Kate Winslet.
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