Tories: Town halls 'helping squatters break into people's homes' » Housing » 24dash.com

Town hall housing departments across the country are referring people without housing to a squatters’ rights group, according to the Conservative Party.

The Tories claim the Advisory Service for Squatters has produced a DIY guide on breaking into people’s homes and how to occupy which it says is being recommended by councils including Hackney, Islington, Brent, Durham and Doncaster.

The ‘Squatters Handbook’ advises:

• Force entry in through front or back entrances or open windows. Carry a crowbar and say you are “clearing the drains” if you are stopped.
• Break in during the day, and "wear council-style overalls" to avoid suspicion.
• Deactivate alarm sensors with sellotape, and muffle the sound of alarm bells "with a few coats".
• Detailed guides are given on how to take apart a Yale lock, and then fit new locks. Once the home is secured, “get the kettle on”.
• Put up a legal warning on the door - warning it is a criminal offence to try to remove the squatters by force. Local residents and home owners are intimidated with: “you may receive a sentence of up to six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5000" if you try to remove the squatters.
• Apply for council tax benefit as soon as you move in. Don't let TV Licensing inspectors in - who are compared to vampires ("they can only come in if invited").
• Cite the Human Rights Act 1998 if the gas and electricity firm won’t reconnect you. Cite the Water Industry Act 1999 if the water firm tries to disconnect you.
• “Only a small minority of squatters ever get nicked… squatting is not a crime”.
• “Private houses may provide years of housing to lucky squatters”.

Parliamentary Questions by Conservatives have revealed that Labour Ministers have issued no recent guidance to the police or town halls on tackling squatters, and the Government has no records on the number of squatters.

New figures from the Empty Homes Agency have revealed that the number of empty homes in England has risen by 20,000 in the last two years. The rise is being fuelled by a glut of flats, particularly in northern cities.
 
Eric Pickles MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, said: “Homeowners will be horrified that town halls are giving squatters the green light to break into law-abiding citizens’ homes, and that a squatters’ rights pressure group is recognised and consulted by the Home Office on ‘equality’ policies.

“Promoting such lawlessness is breathtaking, but is sadly an indictment of social breakdown that has become rife under Labour and the prevalence of ‘human rights’ laws.

"This revelation coupled with fact violent crime is doubling blows apart Labour’s claim to be the party of law and order.

“I fear such squatting looks set to increase given the rising number of empty flats, thanks to the Government’s flawed planning rules causing a glut of flats in the market.”