Occupy protesters evicted from Finsbury Square

Islington Council began an operation during the night to remove an Occupy London protest camp which has been in Finsbury Square for the past eight months.

A private security company, accompanied by police officers, put metal fences up around the site after moving the protesters on.

The operation was carried out after the council won a court action to evict the group. It told the judge that the protesters had damaged the land, had a negative effect on local businesses and there had been complaints about anti-social behaviour. Though, some of the camp's inhabitants were there for political reasons, some had moved in because they were homeless.

Councillor Paul Convery from Islington Council said: "We're returning the square to community use, and it is being cleaned and will soon be reopened to the public for the summer. Today's enforcement action was peaceful and low-key, and I'd like to thank the police, our street outreach team, and other partner organisations for their help. A number of vulnerable and homeless people have been living in the square. We have been speaking to them and offering advice and support to those who need assistance."