Security guards were called to Dorset Police and Crime Panel after protesters insisted on having their say and refused to move.

The group, angry about mortgage dealings which have resulted in some losing their homes, claim the police too often side with financial institutions, rather than victims.

The protesters went on to name one solicitor and a number of banks and financial institutions who they claim are using fraudulent methods and heavy-handed tactics to re-possess homes, often supported by people who they claim are thugs.

The group say all too often the police support re-possessions, often without checking the credentials of bailiffs, or the legitimacy of their actions.

But the county’s police and crime panel heard nothing of it – chairman Mike Short led members from the committee room as soon as the protesters refused to sit down seconds after he was elected chairman.

“This is a democracy – what have you got to be scared of? We have a right to speak,” said Liz Watson from the Sovereign Property Alliance as councillors filed out of the room.

Speaking afterwards Mr Short said that the committee had not been notified of their intentions and said their claims were outside the scope of the panel.

“I have sympathy with them and am sure they have a case, but this was not the place for it to be heard,” he said.

While security staff calmed tempers and the committee were out of the room Jonathan Mair, Dorset Council’s Corporate Director for Legal and Democratic Services, spoke to the protesters about their concerns over issues surrounding mortgages and fraud.

He arranged to meet them outside the meeting to advise how they can progress their concerns.

Another protester, Trevor Mealham, said he was appalled the group had been refused permission to speak and did not accept that the issue came under the scope of the committee.

“The police are standing aside while people are being assaulted, one was attacked with a crowbar, and yet the police are treating the people who are being evicted as being in the wrong,” he said.

“The sad thing is that the police and crime panels appear to know nothing about the law and yet they should be upholding it. It’s up to the police and crime commissioner to see that the Chief Constable runs an efficient police force.

“We came because I am fed up of seeing people get hurt, of seeing children self-harming because of what is being done to them and the police allowing it to happen.”

A film about the way some financial institutions treat their customers, The Great Mortgage Swindle, is being screened on Wednesday evening at Bournemouth’s Odeon cinema.

“It would be a great chance for (police and crime commissioner) Mr Underhill to come and see how it should be done,” said Mr Mealham.

“When the panel run out of the room with their tails between their legs it’s not serving the public interest and it’s not right.”