Tensions explode in major Spanish city as fed up locals confront violent squatters

Tensions have reached boiling point between fed-up locals in Madrid and a violent gang of squatters, with 14 arrests being made over the weekend. Frustrated residents became increasingly displeased at squatters terrorising their local neighbourhood in the north of the capital and finally confronted them.

With a war zone seemingly taking place between the two sides, around 50 officers were deployed to the Barajas district, near the Spanish city's airport. Around-the-clock patrols have now been set up outside a disused office block on Calle Trespaderne, which has been illegally occupied for the past five months. The squatters were reportedly found carrying makeshift weapons, including shivs and sharpened wooden stakes.

Two squatters were arrested on Friday, another two on Saturday, and a further 10 on Sunday.

Residents say they are now "scared to go out" with the gang wreaking havoc since taking over the abandoned building, which has lain vacant for 15 years.

"We cannot take it anymore," one neighbour told the Olive Press.

"This used to be a safe, family-friendly area. Now we're scared to go out. Our children are prisoners in their own homes."

Locals claim that a spate of serious crimes is linked to the squatters, including assaults, thefts, threats, and arson.

In one horrific incident, a man allegedly tried to drag a young girl into the abandoned building - but she managed to escape.

In another incident, a squatter allegedly smashed a glass bottle over a man's arm "just for looking the wrong way" at his girlfriend.

One neighbour said: "We can't even hang our clothes outside anymore - they just steal them. They even tried robbing the local chemist and shouted at the pharmacist when he refused to give them drugs."

It is believed that around 50 squatters now live in the block - but locals insist only a handful are responsible for the violence and spate of crime.