Squatting

[flip_flop]

Should squatting be considered a criminal offence?

[Gladeian]

I consider that squatting should most certainly be a criminal offence. It is completely illogical to make excuses for people to unlawfully occupy property belonging to another without the owners consent. Cant see any reason to excuse unlawfull trespass never mind who they are. Hopefully the Government will fulfill their promise to make squatting an offence in England and Wales, i believe it is an offence already in Scotland.

[rov1100]

If travellers can be removed by bailiffs from squatting on Green Belt Land home squatters should receive the same treatment.

[askyourgran]

Yes, no excuses. Out straight away. You should be able to defend your home and personal property without having to resort to long drawn out court orders, ditto with the gypsies camping anywhere.

[Quassia]

Absolutely .. disgusting practice. People should wait till they're home!

[campbellking]

I live next door to a property that has not been occupied for 10 years (I'm at the end of one terrace row, this is the start of the next). When I first moved in, the property owners would come round and make some effort to maintain the building. I have not seen them for about 5 years now. The guttering is hanging off the walls, the shed is falling into the alley, and the back garden has become the local dump, and has mattresses, car batteries and piles of rubbish in it. About 2 months ago, squatters moved in (2 men), who seemed to be of Eastern European origin, who popped in and out of the windows, and appeared to cycle somewhere every day. I think they've moved on now, as the kids who live next door (our local chavs) smashed the windows that they have removed the boards from.
I'm not for or against squatters, these men didn't appear to cause any damage, more damage has been caused locally by this property being left to slowly fall apart and our area subsequently becoming an area for fly-tipping.

[TTG]

Has anyone ever tried to get rid of squatters by force and been arrested? Heard plenty of stories about squatters taking over a persons home and having to go through the court to get rid of them.