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New law to criminalise squatting
JUSTICE Minister Crispin Blunt pledged police would be able to take “quick and decisive” action to deal with squatters after Parliament passed a new law.
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, which was designed to protect the rights of homeowners, will come into force in September and for the first time makes squatting a crime.
Under the previous legislation homeowners were forced to go to court to obtain an eviction order, which could take several months. Squatters were often removed under trespass laws.