Bungling police raid closed gym because the OWNER was still using his own facilities during lockdown – as he threatens them with court saying: ‘They messed with the wrong person’
- EXCLUSIVE: James Cooper owns Body Transformation in Hampstead, London
- He was stunned when seven officers turned up at his gym and tried to get inside
- He watched on a security system as police and Camden Council banged his door
- The officers went round the back and one tried to tamper with a key box on a wall
- Cooper, who trains celebrities and city CEOs, vowed to launch legal proceedings
Bungling police have raided a closed gym because the owner was still using the facilities during lockdown – as he threatens them with court action.
James Cooper, who owns Body Transformation in Hampstead, north London, was stunned when seven officers turned up at his gym and tried to gain access.
He logged into his security system and watched as police and staff from Camden Council spent an hour banging on his doors.
When they failed to gain access the officers went round the back and one tried to tamper with a key box secured to the gym wall in what Mr Cooper believes to be an attempt to get inside his property without a warrant.
Mr Cooper, who trains a string of high profile clients from celebrities to city CEOs and barristers, vowed to launch proceedings against the police.
James Cooper, who owns the Body Transformation in Hampstead, north London, was stunned when seven officers turned up at his gym and tried to gain access
He told the MailOnline: ‘The police made a very big mistake trying to break into my property.
‘I will be taking them to court over this, they messed with the wrong person, I’ve simply had enough of this.
‘This is for all of us business owners fighting back now, we can’t take this nonsense any more.
‘You can’t break into someone’s premises, no one was in danger inside, the place was empty, what right do they have to try and break in?
‘I was at home watching them banging on my doors and trying to get in by getting access to my key box.
He logged into his security system and watched as police and staff from Camden Council spent an hour banging on his doors
Mr Cooper, who trains a string of high profile clients from celebrities (pictured with Alex Reid) to city CEOs and barristers, vowed to launch proceedings against the police
‘I can hear them saying they don’t have a warrant because my system records sound as well. I’m just not going to put up with this any more.
‘What has the world come to that seven officers spend an hour of their time standing around my gym?’
He added: ‘Surely they have better things to do with their time in a big city like London.
‘I’ve bought everything in that gym from my blood sweat and tears, it’s been my dream to have my own gym and I’ve built that business from the ground up.
When they failed to gain access the officers went round the back and one tried to tamper with a key box secured to the gym wall in what Mr Cooper believes to be an attempt to get inside his property without a warrant
‘I’ve put all my investment into my business and I’m not going to sit back and let them try to destroy it.’
Mr Cooper, who studied nutrition at King’s College London, is one of several gym owners fighting against ‘draconian rules’ that have left their businesses in tatters.
Many gyms up and down the country refused to shut their doors during restrictions, claiming they provide a vital service that improves both physical and mental health.
Gyms were ordered to shut their doors under recent lockdown rules but the government confirmed they will lift the ban from December 2 under a tier system.
The Met has been contacted for comment.