Neighbours of squatters arrested for playing loud music said they had made their lives a misery.

Three young men who were detained when police raided a flat twice the same evening were charged with causing a breach of the peace.

South Oxfordshire District Council may prosecute all the squatters following complaints about noise above a bookmaker's shop at Didcot. Police broke in and seized a ghetto-blaster first time and returned later to confiscate more sound equipment and a television.

Jon Payne, the council's assistant environmental health manager, said after the first raid, neighbours again complained when people occupying the flat in lower Broadway replaced stereo equipment. Environmental staff accompanied by six police officers with a warrant returned three hours later and took more equipment away.

Mr Payne said: "It is unusual for us to resort to our powers of seizure - let alone twice the same evening - but it was obvious that abatement notices were being flagrantly disregarded, and strong measures were needed."

Meanwhile, the flat landlord is understood to be seeking an eviction order through the county court.

Story date: Saturday 01 May

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