ACTIVISTS occupying a former homelessness unit during COP26 claim police tried to force entry to the building in a 3am raid.
The Glasgow Times told last week how campaigners had taken over the Hamish Allan Centre to provide living space for people in the city for the climate summit.
Glasgow City Council had written to the Baile Hoose group to express concerns over asbestos and legionella in the building.
READ MORE: COP26 activists take over Hamish Allan building
Early on Monday morning, occupants were woken by police officers in an adjacent section of the building.
They claim around 20 officers from Welsh police forces and the Metropolitan police were using a battering ram to try to gain access.
Witnesses said that it was only when Police Scotland officers arrived at the scene that "calmed the situation" and "the Met and Welsh police backed off."
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed the force attended at the building around 3am.
She said: "Around 3am on Monday, 8 November, officers attended at a property on Centre Street, Glasgow, following concerns for the safety and security of those using the building.
"Officers will continue to engage with those currently in the property."
Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba criticised the move by police.
She said on Twitter: "The peaceful Baile Hoose Occupation was raided last night.
"@BaileHoose is providing temporary shelter for COP26 campaigners struggling to find accommodation.
"They are providing a service to their community and have been rewarded with police harassment.
"Disgraceful."
It is understood a meeting is taking place today between activists and Glasgow City Council abut the occupation of the council-owned building.
Baile Hoose occupied the building on November 3 after spending several days making the empty structure habitable.
11/11 were here in our space. When Police Scotland arrived they calmed the situation and it was only then that the Met and the Welsh police backed off. The police liason officers arrived and were incredibly shocked at what we had experienced. The Met and the Welsh Police had...
— Baile Hoose (@BaileHoose) November 8, 2021
The move was in response to ferociously high rental prices in the city during COP26, which forced some delegates and activists to sleep in parks.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has also visited the property and installed smoke alarms in the building.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: ": “The former Hamish Allan Centre has been closed for years and the building is not safe for human habitation.
"There are concerns about fire safety and possible asbestos.
“It was shut down, as it did not provide acceptable accommodation at that time and the residents moved to more appropriate properties.
"The council did not provide access to the building and it’s concerning that people have moved in.”
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