Police and Newham council terminate an illegal ‘Arnie’ style gym
Arnold Schwarzeneggers old training gym formerly ‘Wag Bennets Gym’ had been playing home to six squatters since it became uninhabitable in a fire a year ago.
The property was taken back with the help of the site owners and the much publicised changes in law that has made squatting an illegal offence in England since 2012.
The police working with officers from Newham Council’s enforcement, anti-social behavior, planning and building control teams secured the premises. The decision to clear the property came after police claimed that the antisocial behaviour hotspot was being used as a bail address.
Executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, Unmesh Desai said: “We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in any shape or form. The closure of this property can only be good news for local residents. It was the result of excellent partnership work with police and other agencies to make Newham safer while offering support to those vulnerable people directly affected.”
The building on the Romford rd, Forest Gate, was the gym where Schwarzenegger the body builder turned film star and Governor of California, had trained in the 1960s.
Luckily for the squatters although homeless services, the police and firefighters were needed to secure the premisses the terminator was not!