Enfield Council spent £600,000 on security to prevent squatters in two tower blocks in Edmonton, North London, slated for demolition after safety concerns.
Enfield Council announced this demolition plan in June 2023. The plan involves knocking down Cheshire House and Shropshire House. Engineers previously cut off the gas due to a leak, putting the buildings at risk of collapse. Both seventeen-story blocks had been without gas since, forcing residents to use outdoor showers in winter.
The council began moving residents out to prepare for demolition. Leaseholders received monetary compensation for their properties, with the council paying ten percent over market value. Council tenants were relocated to other homes in the area.
A MyLondon public information request revealed the security cost. The council spent £600,000 on security, covering November 2022 to December 2024. A security guard is stationed at each building, providing twenty-four-hour surveillance, while the lengthy process frustrated residents.
Hivron Bay, a resident of Shropshire House, spoke to MyLondon in December 2023, expressing suicidal feelings due to the relocation delays. Edmonton MP Kate Osamor echoed similar concerns soon after, stating her “disappointment” with the slow evacuation.
Councillor Ayten Guzel addressed these concerns. She spoke about taxpayer money spent on security while emphasizing the importance of resident safety. She stated the council needs to keep them safe, now that the buildings are mostly empty.
The council also needs to manage non-residents and prevent unauthorized materials from entering while trying to prevent bad behavior. The Building Safety Act 2022 also plays a role. Security patrols each floor every thirty minutes.
Councillor Guzel urged remaining leaseholders to contact the council for moving assistance. Enfield Council aims to decommission both buildings this year. The £600,000 security bill will likely increase.
