Criminalise Squatting In Commercial Premises, Say Tory MPs

It could soon be chucking out time at the Black Bull. The disused inn, around the corner from Chelsea's football ground in south-west London, has been occupied by squatters for two weeks. The landlord wants his property back and the Ministry of Justice says it is considering whether to criminalise the squatting of commercial properties.  Tory MP Mike Weatherley, who represents Hove and Portslade in East Sussex, has met the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, to press him on the matter.  Most squatting, he said, was not about homelessness, as it was carried out by "web-savvy and educated" young people. Guidance provided to the police already warned they should be careful charging people if "there are genuinely homeless people involved".  Read more on the Guardian website.