Foxtons has made a pledge to protect staff following the latest protest by a direct action rental activist group.

Over last weekend the agency’s office in Shoreditch, east London,  in opposition to what the organisers called “skyrocketing rents, corporate greed, and a housing system that’s pushing families to the brink.”

A statement from the protestors, part of the London Renters Union, says: “While Foxtons celebrates soaring profits, our neighbours are choosing between rent and food. This is the human cost of the housing crisis.”

The protesters claim “families are crammed into temporary accommodation. Young people are locked out of a secure future. The communities that built this city are torn apart and displaced.”

And they add: “Foxtons is responsible for driving up rents, and plays an important role in the booming and extortionate Build To Rent market which is a major site of profiteering for international private equity.”

Now Foxtons has issued a statement saying: “We understand the deep frustration around the housing crisis and are committed to campaigning for a fairer, more accessible rental market for all. We also take very seriously the safety and wellbeing of our in-branch staff and have put measures in place to support them during recent protests.

“Foxtons has long supported reforms to boost housing supply, improve affordability, and strengthen protections for renters. We remain focused on working collaboratively with policymakers and communities to deliver meaningful, lasting change.”

There has been an increase in direct action against lettings agencies in recent years, with another activist group – Acorn – entering some offices to ‘debate’ with agents, or hold vocal protests outside.