FRIGHTMOVE
PROPERTY AD SHOWS ARMED POLICE RESPONSE AT HOUSE
FOR the discerning housebuyer, the advertised three double bedrooms and south-facing garden had instant appeal.
But property hunters who clicked on a link on the Rightmove listing were shown a less attractive extra – armed police and an ambulance standing by.
Would-be purchasers checking out the Google Street View of a £375,000 home in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, can zoom in on two armed officers.
Just a few yards down the road – which several police cars are parked along – a group of people are seen standing with officers by an ambulance. And around the corner, a smashed-up white van can be seen as an officer stands nearby.
Amazed Rightmove viewers reacted to the photos on Twitter, with Carl Hendy creating a mock listing saying: ‘House for sale: Semi-detached. Offstreet parking. Armed police presence.’
Andrew Maison’s reply was: ‘ Excellent access to various footpaths (over fence) at rear of property, including to car park (and own parking space, useful for awaiting getaway vehicle etc).’
Dan Barker added: ‘A unique SEO problem: Trying to sell a house when Street View shows armed police in attendance.’
The images were taken when police attended a street fight on April 30, 2019, which erupted when two vehicles crashed. Groups from each van began fighting, with one person left with a broken arm. A man was later jailed for possession of an offensive weapon and a woman and teenage boy were also sentenced for possession of a blade.