Entering an unoccupied building without force is legal
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The majority of people think that squatting should be made a criminal offence, a new study has found
Currently, entering an unoccupied building without force or damage is currently not a criminal offence. However, the study, carried out by YouGov, has found that 81 per cent of people think that it should be.
Proposed government legislation could see squatters face a fine or imprisonment for trespassing on residential property.
Not everything is against the current law. Joseph Blake, from Squatters Action for Secure Homes, said that criminalising the homeless in the middle of a houseing crisis could force people out on to the streets.
The latest government figures estimated that there are currently 20,000 squatters in the UK.
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