By: PainSmith

Indeed, the police will need to test any evidence and be clear. We think some quarters hope that just having the police begin investigating may encourage squatters to up and leave without the need for civil proceedings. Bearing in mind it was already an offence to refuse to leave when asked to do so by a “displaced residential occupier” or “protected intending occupier” ( section 7 Criminal Law Act 1977), and the police quite often refused to act even when holiday makers returned to find their home squatted, it will be interesting to see how this new legislation will change things.