Smartly dressed squatters and artists have taken over a Mitcham pub and have been living there for months, without anyone realising until now.

The group occupied the Cricketers pub in London Road three months ago, apparently without the knowledge of neighbours, Merton Council or even the building’s postman.

The pub was sold by the Young’s brewery in 2009 after the chain said no buyer was willing to take it on as a pub.

One squatter, who did not want to be named, said: “I’m here because I think buildings should be used.

"There are about 80,000 empty homes and buildings in London, yet we are told there is a housing crisis.

“If we weren’t here people would vandalise it, or there would be junkies here. Having nice squatters is beneficial.”

He said some of the occupants were students, who did not want to pay for accommodation on top of soaring tuition fees.

Another man was seen walking out of the building smartly dressed, holding a briefcase and told the Wimbledon Guardian he was off to a meeting.

He said: “We’re here for different reasons, some are artists using it for studio space, there are homeless people and activists.”

On why they had gone unnoticed for so long he said: “It is because we’re no trouble, our neighbours are the fire station and they never complained.”

Merton Councillor Ian Munn, who represents Cricket Green ward, said he was surprised the squatters had gone unnoticed for so long in what is usually a vigilant neighbourhood.

The pub closed last October, when developers applied to build offices, shops and flats.

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