Specialist Group International, a provider of specialist rescue, underwater search and protester management, sent enforcement officers to Madeira Drive, Brighton to clear away tents which have been there “for months”.
The Argus has seen a letter from the High Court that granted Brighton and Hove City Council permission to enter the land and take possession of it on August 1.
Enforcement officers were seen pulling items out of the tents, including pillows, blankets and duvets and throwing them down from the terrace on to the ground.
A man who was visiting Brighton on holiday with his family told The Argus: “What is the council thinking?
“Where are the people in the tents supposed to go or do?
“Their stuff is being thrown out, and they are being forced to move on it seems.
“Surely the council should be finding them accommodation.”
Public Order Enforcement teams, described as teams trained to enter buildings and gain access to land to remove protesters or squatters and travellers, were also seen attending the scene.
A bystander who saw the scene told The Argus: “It looks like they are wearing riot gear to deal with homeless people.
“It’s just all excessive.”
The council later said the officers were wearing safety equipment and not riot gear.
Green Councillor Chloë Goldsmith, shadow member for communities and equalities, said that the events were “shocking” and that people sleeping rough deserve to be handled with care and compassion.
The Argus understand that there were multiple people living on Madeira Terrace but all but one left over night after being informed of the incoming enforcement officers. The council said the one that remained was asked to leave today and he did so but told the officers he had “nowhere to go” and was sent to the city council.
Councillor Jacob Allen, cabinet member for customer services and public realm, said: “Madeira Terrace is a failing structure and not safe for people to be on.
“When we became aware of this situation, and the associated risk to the lives of any trespassers, we acted swiftly to gain a court order for possession.
“Council officers have engaged over the past weeks to ensure the trespassers understood the safety issues and the action being pursued by the council.
“As a result, the trespasser left the site of their own free will and no enforcement action was required.”
The council stated the “trespasser advised he did not wish to retain any of the items on the site”.
Cllr Allen refuted Cllr Goldsmith’s claims and said homeless people are unsafe if they reside on the “crumbling Victorian structures”.
He added: The Labour Administration of this city will unflinchingly and decisively act when people are unsafe – be they in an LPS block, New England House, or on the Madeira Terraces. Officers have been engaging before today with the individual about their welfare and their consent for their possessions to be disposed of.”
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