Squatters have taken over a council office block in London’s East End that has been used for filming and for storage for two years.

Police and local authority officials were called to Bethnal Green earlier today and are still outside the five-storey Brownall House in Cambridge Heath Road.

But there have been no arrests or forced evictions so far, it is understood.

“We are there to prevent any more people entering the premises,” said a police spokesman.

“But we’re not there to stop them leaving—they can go whenever they want.

“Police will seek to find out if any criminal offence has been committed—arrests may follow if suspects are identified.”

The building was previously used as a Tower Hamlets council One Stop services centre. It has been used for storage and filming since staff moved out two years ago.

ITV’s Job Lot sitcom about a Jobcentre, starring Sarah Hadland and Russell Tovey, filmed the exterior for the series which ends on Monday.

The squatters moved in during the night, it is understood. But police are taking no action to remove them as it is a civil matter, they point out. The authority would have to seek a court eviction order.