FOURTEEN people were arrested at an eviction protest in West Hampstead today, writes Jacob Mignano.

An estimated 40 police officers broke up the demonstration in Lymington Road after a stand-off began at around 3pm.

Members of Camden Housing Action and the Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group (KUWG) had linked arms around the property.

The campaigners said a tenant had been ordered to leave private rented accommodation after a council inspector had ruled that the room he was renting was too small to live in.

Pamela Aukle, 45, from the KUWG, who was arrested during the protests, said the man – known as Mark – had “no money” and the “council have nothing for him”.

“Anything they offer is outside of Camden,” she added.

Police described the high-level presence as a “proportionate response”.

The landlord was not available for comment.