Tories Will Promise New Powers to Evict Gypsies

The Conservatives are to unveil tough measures to deal with illegal gypsy encampments, including setting up special magistrates courts that can order evictions on weekends and during the night, a Cabinet minister has indicated. Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, said that the issue of travellers occupying land “requires attention as soon as we get a Conservative government re-elected”. It is understood the Conservatives could pledge to appoint specialist magistrates who sit at short notice and out of hours so that councils can get rid of travellers. Senior Conservative MPs want the party in its manifesto to announce plans to create a new criminal offence of trespass. Read more on the Daily Telegraph website.

Charities Fear Squatting Law Will Raise Homelessness

Charities have warned making squatting illegal will drive up homelessness, as new powers come into effect.  From 1 September squatting in residential buildings has been a criminal offence in England and Wales.  Under the new law, squatters could face a year in jail or a £5,000 fine if they trespass onto the property.  Leslie Morphy, chief executive, Crisis said, ‘It will do nothing to address the underlying reasons why vulnerable people squat in the first place - their homelessness and a lack of affordable housing.’  Landlords will be able to complain to the police who can then arrest the squatters.  The law will not catch tenants who originally occupied properties with permission but subsequently refused to vacate.  Previously squatting has been treated as a civil matter meaning that landlords had to go to court to prove that squatters have trespassed onto their property to get an eviction.  Read more on the Crisis website.