Squatters move into Guy Ritchie's £6m house ... to set up a free school
A GROUP of squatters has taken over a £6 million central London house belonging to film director Guy Ritchie.
At least 12 people have occupied the large Grade I listed property in Fitzrovia and claim they now plan to convert the building into a free school.
The collective known as the Really Free School entered Mr Ritchie's property over the weekend.
The police were called but the squatters refused to leave.
They have now placed large banners in the front windows that say "strike", "resist" and "occupy".
A source at the building contractor responsible for refurbishing the property told the Standard that workmen were in the property as recently as Friday afternoon and that the building is not safe to live in.
He said: "It's a real cheek. This property has not been empty. We've had workmen and designers in there as recently as Friday.
"Our scaffolding is in there. It's not safe to be in at all. We have work to do on it before it is made safe to work on."
It is believed Mr Ritchie wants to convert the former language school into two homes and sources claim the cost of the refurbishment could run into millions.
The squatters have recently moved out of a nearby Bloomsbury Square, where they have been holding workshops and discussions for several weeks before announcing plans to move on their website.
A recent post by the group on Twitter said: "We need occupiers for tonight! Will be film showings in the new cinema. Come sleepover in the most rah property in London!" The squatters refused to comment to the Standard today, claiming they have a "no media policy". At least six of the group were seen sleeping in the grand entrance hall of the property early this morning.
Rubbish was strewn across the floor and the squatters have brought their own tools and ladders, which can be seen in the hallway. At around 9am, several members of the group - some wearing masks - ran out of the property, refusing to answer questions.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "The police said we were lucky they were not the bad sort of squatters, but they said they will be moving in in force and will be bringing a grand piano."
Ritchie, 42, bought the adjoining properties in May last year. His new neighbours include Gary Kemp, from the 1980s pop band Spandau Ballet, comedian and TV presenter Griff Rhys-Jones.
