STUDENT protesters told today how bailiffs physically dragged them from a university building that they were occupying as part of a campaign for rent reductions.

They said that bailiffs had broken into the Simon building at the University of Manchester on Wednesday, manhandling the occupiers and physically dragging or carrying them out.

The bailiffs were implementing a possession order granted by a court two days earlier.

One occupier, a 20-year-old student who did not wish to be named, described the presence of the bailiffs as “terrifying."

“We all wake up to a massive bang and about a dozen men in the room all suited and booted telling us to get up and get out,” the student said.

“There were a lot of people being manhandled — they’re supposed to be about four people per person, but they were like dragging people on the floor and stuff.

“It’s a very scary experience. I think for most of us it was our first experience of a bailiff. And they were as terrifying as you think they are.”

The students vowed to continue their campaign for a 30 per cent rent reduction, a rent freeze and a cost-of-living payment of £1,500, among other demands.

The University’s Rent Strike group said that a statement of solidarity with the students withholding rent had been signed by MPs including Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome.

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “This action follows multiple requests to those occupying the building to leave and court hearing papers being served on the occupiers on March 15 2023.

“The court granted the university a possession order on Monday and copies of the order were served to the occupiers.”