Nine people calling themselves "anarchists and urban explorers" broke into the Grade II listed George Barnsley and Sons building and are threatening to barricade themselves inside unless it is made secure. The group are lead by Mark Moses Wallis and are united under the name "Underclass Rising". They have stated that they are taking the
action to draw attention to a poorly secured listed building.
The building's owner, chartered surveyor Gerald Duniec, claims it was
secure until they broke in. He is furious the police have not evicted
them. He said "These people are putting two fingers up to the whole
system. The building was secure. They arrived with screwdrivers and
began dismantling panels.
"They are not anarchists or urban
explorers - they are criminals and they are taking the law into their
own hands. But the local police are turning a blind eye. They took two
hours to even turn up. I have spent money securing this building, but
now the council is saying they are going to take enforcement action
against me."
David Marsh, administrative officer at Sheffield
Council Urban Design and Conservation Department, wrote to Mr Duniec to
say Mr Wallis is 'a known squatter'. He went on to say "He has
threatened that unless the building is made secure by Friday he is
going to secure the building himself with a group of his associates.
This is unacceptable from our point of view."
A South Yorkshire Police official said
"Officers did attend this incident, however due to a high volume of
emergency calls at the time, there was a delay in our response. We are
unable to establish at this stage if anyone has been squatting in these
premises." | 
