BAILIFFS in tuxedos were paint-bombed on Wednesday night as housing campaigners targeted a black-tie event awarding the most effective eviction officers.

Focus E15 campaigners called the demonstration to highlight the cruelty behind the British Credit Awards — celebrating those who have thrown thousands onto the streets.

A guest of the £4,000-a-head ceremony ended the night covered in paint after being pelted by angry protesters.

The confrontations ended with the Metropolitan Police arresting two for alleged common assault.

On the scene, campaigner Elizabeth Carr told the Morning Star that she knew too well how under today’s financial climate someone’s life can quickly go crashing down.

“I cannot afford to pay rent anywhere now. The long and short of it, I am soon to be homeless,” she said.

Ms Carr said that she protested because “there is a dedicated and deeply economically entrenched view that austerity and what amounts to social restructuring by displacement is necessary.

“I was there because I feel strongly that while people are literally being displaced like surplus value awards that celebrate this process are just plain wrong.”

The British Credit Awards honour, among other categories, the best Enforcement Team of the Year and Third Party Debt Collection Team of the Year.

Focus E15 mums claimed the night’s winners “prey on the poverty and vulnerability created by the housing and economic crises” to make the extra cash.

Campaign founder Samantha Middleton said: “We’ve helped stop lots of bailiff evictions around Newham and have seen from those who’ve been through them how awful they are.

“It’s appalling that these companies are getting awards at all and attending events at a price-per-table that could keep a family housed for many months.

“These companies are the hired soldiers of social cleansing.”

Mimicking an earlier anti-eviction protest in Southwark this week, campaigners brought along bags of rubble and broken furniture to mock an eviction on the site.

Footage of the night also showed protesters confronting a dressed-up guest, shouting “shame on you,” while an unidentified person hits him with an orange paint bomb.
joanaramiro@peoples-press.com