Squatters have been removed from a high street property which they were using to give away free fruit and vegetables.

Court bailiffs supported by private bailiffs entered the property in St James’s Street, Brighton, at about noon yesterday after a court order had been issued for the squatters’ removal.

Bailiffs entered the former Sussex Local Produce by smashing a window and a door and three people were escorted from the building A police spokeswoman said that three protesters left the property peacefully and there was no need for police involvement.

Squatters had been living in the property since November and began operating a fruit and veg shop from the premises in March.

Members of the squat would buy produce from nearby supermarkets and then give them away in exchange for donations.

The shop had been closed for several weeks after the property was issued with eviction papers.

At its peak, there were about nine people living above the shop.

Hannah Murphy, a member of the Squatters Network of Brighton, said the eviction showed the “ridiculous” nature of laws on empty buildings.

She said: “This was a shop that was providing an amazing community resource. The fact that the shop was self financing shows how much community support it had.

“Now it will probably go back to being another empty shop.

Chris Cooke, chairman of the LGBT community safety forum, said: “They had my empathy for what they were trying to do and there was a bit of community spirit when they started the store.

“But there are quite clear rules about squatting and it’s not fair on legitimate businesses in the street that they are not paying business rates and not following the same rules and regulations as everyone else.”

Are you relieved to see the shop go or would you have liked it to remain?