DOCTORS were “appalled” after squatters invaded their surgery and did thousands of pounds worth of damage.

More than 20 people smashed their way into Lime Tree Surgery, in Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, yesterday by tearing off the alarm system from the wall.

The squatters, who are from Eastern Europe and had a dog with them, also entered treatment rooms after breaking code locks off the doors.

Food and rubbish was left scattered across computer keyboards, empty beer cans and food were strewn across the reception area and carpets were left destroyed by cigarette butts.

Dr Liaquat Ali, who has worked at the surgery for over 20 years, described the scene of chaos when he arrived at work this morning.

The 48-year-old said: “I was absolutely shocked, disgusted and very angry at the state that they left the building in.

“This morning they have walked out and I have been left with it.

“I have spent all morning cleaning and gathering rubbish and my patients were helping me.”

He was left furious after ringing the police, who told him they could not help because squatting in a non-residential property is not illegal.

But while causing damage to the property can lead to a criminal conviction, he claims the emergency services failed to take action.

He added: “The police said they could not do anything even though there was clear evidence of criminal damage.

“So squatters can just break into commercial properties and prevent people from working? It’s just not right. The law should definitely be changed.”

Dr Carolin Kumana, 41, who has worked at the surgery for 10 years, said: “I am very upset.

“It is unbelievable that this can happen. It is an appalling situation.

“This is the patients’ community surgery and it is being violated.”

The squatters were unable to gain access to the 8,000 patients’ medical records, which were secured in locked cabinets.

They departed with their furniture and luggage this morning after police told them they had to leave when patients staged a protest outside.

One of the squatters, who gave his name as Martin and said he was from Slovakia, said he recently became homeless after losing his job.

Another, a Polish man named Adam, said he took the day off work from his kitchen porter job to pack up his things and move out of the surgery.

Shafi Syed, whose five children are patients at the surgery, said he is angry that when the police arrived last night they did not prevent the squatters from going back into the building.

He said: “I am very angry that our surgery has been taken over by squatters.

“The police did not help at all when they came last night.

“They escorted the squatters back inside. It is complete rubbish.

“If the government made more affordable homes available maybe these people would be able to afford rent.”

Javed Latif, 49, who is a patient at the surgery and lives in Cann Hall Road, said it is bad for the image of the area to have people squatting in a building.

He said: “As a parent I don’t want squatters in my area. It is not a good image for the area.

“It makes us feel terrible that they can just take over our working surgery.

“The law should be changed and the police should have the powers to evict squatters.”

The surgery is now closed and patients are being seen at Lime Tree Surgery in Leytonstone High Road.