Residents have called for the council to shut down an illegal squat after a man was shot.

Those living near the squat, in Gipsy Hill, had already reported a nightmare of all-night raves, drug misuse and antisocial behaviour, including squatters defecating in a nearby car park.

  But calls for the eviction intensified after the shooting on Saturday, January 28.

Lambeth Council has served a possession order for Ranger Mansions, in Jasper Road, but the squatters have yet to be evicted.

Chairman of Gipsy Hill Residents’ Association (GHRA), Amanda Sciberras, said: “Lambeth Council must act as a responsible landlord, as is its legal duty, and secure the building forthwith. Lambeth Council owes a general duty of care to all those affected by its inaction.”

Gunfire was heard at Ranger Mansions at about 6.30am on the day of the shooting and a man was later admitted to a south London hospital with gunshot wounds. His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Families living nearby were woken by the noise.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said he heard the gunshots.

He said: “The noise woke our two-year-old daughter in her room at the back of the flat. I brought her into our room and we all lay in bed nervously listening to the commotion outside.

“I was forced to lock our front door from the inside as we did not feel safe in our home.”

People living in the area have reported more disturbances since the incident and Mrs Sciberras said GHRA had been contacted by anxious residents with first-hand accounts of their ordeal.

Mrs Sciberras said: “Ranger Mansions has become more dangerous as it is a magnet for large, rowdy crowds.

“Antisocial and illegal activity has flourished unchecked and continues to do so.”

The building was formerly used as a refuge for members of Gipsy Hill Housing Co-operative who had licences to live in empty council properties.

Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Lib Peck, said the council was taking legal action to evict the squatters, though no date had been set.

She said: “We take this matter extremely seriously.

“I have been working closely with the local councillors to do everything in our power to help the police with their investigation.

“The council is pursuing action through the court and with the police to get possession of the property.”

Police said six men had been arrested in connection with the incident. The men, aged between 18 and 28, have been bailed to return to a south London police station in March.

Anyone with information should contact the Trident South Shootings Team on 0208 785 8161 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.