You Just Can't Trust Anyone These Days....

...especially your fellow squatters who nick your red marker pen half-way through your poster-making.

Vive La Revolution, Comrade! I’ll Be Over Here In The Wine Bar…

Stone was among a group of single mothers who were forced to get political when threatened with eviction from their hostel.

It’s quite simple, if you are dependent on the state for your housing, you are going to live where the state puts you. Which is often where it’s cheapest.

Want to live where you prefer? Then get a job & earn your own way.

The sob-story about a woman ‘cruelly evicted’ turned out to be about as truthful too (though Aditya Chakrabortty was fooled, but then…) :

Newham council said it “took back an illegally occupied” council property.

“The former tenant was lawfully evicted on 25 March due to high and historic rent arrears,” a council spokeswoman said.

“The council made many attempts to help with her rent arrears since she first started having problems but she has not fully engaged with these offers of assistance. Officers are now working closely with the tenant to resolve her current financial and housing situation and has provided her with temporary accommodation until a permanent solution can be found.”

Put her in with the Stones of this world. Sounds like they all deserve each other.

And there’s something frankly obscene about the rabble-rousing CiF crowd cheering on the squatters while living lives every bit as ‘disconnected’ from ‘the poor’ as they claim the Tories’ lives are, isn’t there?

An idiot speaks...

The Great Wall Of….Southwark?

Southwark Council enclosed four blocks on the Aylesbury Estate in south London with large hoardings of wood and metal on Friday.

Residents are furious that they are now only allowed to enter or leave their homes at a single exit, which is manned by private security officers.

You live on a gated estate, protected from the feral savages that roam other council estates, and you’re complaining..?!?

Aysen Dennis, 56, a housing campaigner who has lived on the estate for 22 years, said: "It makes it really difficult for people to get to their homes.

"We’ve already had tenants come to us to complain and we’re in the process of making a legal challenge.

"They are trying to stop the protesters basically, but other tenants are paying for it."

Ah. I see. Their self-appointed spokesman is complaining.

Well, he does seem to have made a career out of it, after all.

Cllr Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "The fence was installed as a direct response to the remaining few residents who expressed concerns about security on the site and anti-social behaviour from people who aren’t residents.

"Putting up the fence follows advice from the police, fire brigade and our officers who had similar experiences with other largely empty housing blocks."

And why would security be needed here, more so than any other council housing estate?

Last month, six people were arrested after police and firefighters were called in during an eviction of protesters, who were refusing to leave two occupied blocks.

The campaigners are still on the estate after they simply moved to another vacant block. Southwark has been forced to return to the courts to secure further possession orders.

*sigh* So much for that anti-squatter legislation and its myriad loopholes…

Maybe You’d Like To Support Them By Giving Them Your Property..?

…and not by complacently assuming that else should give them their property?

According to the farmers, a number of people have promised to visit the farm in order to show their support for the residents.

Neighbouring resident Richard Wood said he supported the "vision" of Yorkley Court Community Farm. "I fully support the sustainable farmers, I was at a meeting they called at the Bailey Inn on Saturday and I find their vision for community land use inspiring."

Margaret and Michael Rose, who live in Yorkley, have promised to lend their support to the farmers and will be heading to the site ahead of the potential arrival of bailiffs.

"They are a great asset to our community and should be allowed to remain on the land," said Mr Rose.

It’s not their land. If you have land to give them, do so. But don’t demand that someone else should relinquish their property rights because you like someone’s ‘vision’.

Because that’s theft.

There Are No Standards Any More...

He said: “It was beautiful, we tried to treat it with as much respect as possible. But then some others came over and just tore the place up.

“There were just too many people in there.

“It's annoying that we try and treat places with respect and others come along and trash it. It gives us a bad name.”

...

“...some of those who were in there decided to throw a party and invited everyone in Brighton to it. It all got out of control.

“We got back from a night out and it was already going on with loads of random people in there. At the end of the day when you've got youngsters ... who don't know the cardinal rules, don't invite out of control people in.”

I mean, what's Brighton coming to when squatters don't have good standards of behaviour any more..?

“And Stay Out!”

Police have raided a building that was occupied by squatters in protest at the sell-off of public housing.

A man and a woman were arrested and taken away in a riot van. Another man was bundled to the pavement but later released without charge.

A sergeant at the scene said the pair were held on suspicion of breaking the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, which criminalises squatting in a residential building.

Hurrah! About time!

The parasites are OUTRAGED!! that their host is shrugging them off, of course...

The released man, who gave his name as Harris Fletcher, 23, said: "We’re here to protest about the sell-off of council housing. We came to support the people inside after hearing the police were illegally threatening to break in."

Ummm, no. Your parasitical pals were the ones acting illegally.

Theo Blackwell, Camden’s cabinet member for finance, said: "I’ve sympathy with any protester who says no to selling off council homes, but they’ve got the wrong end of the stick. These buildings were never council flats. They were coming to the end of their leases. We’re using the money to build council homes down the road."

Utter cretins.

Maybe You Should Withhold Your Council Business Taxes?

When police arrived at the city centre squat on Bartholomews in Brighton they found Baron Estates representatives, who own the property, being sprayed with fire extinguishers as they attempted to evict the occupants, watched by a growing crowd.

That's assault. Can we look forward to arrests?

A police spokesman said: “The call came from an occupant of the property to report someone was trying to break in.

“Officers discovered the attempt to enter the property was being made by representatives of the owner, who had obtained a possession order.

“The occupants were squirting fire extinguishers and throwing items.

So, do your job!

“Police advised the owner to obtain sheriff's officers to assist with the eviction and to advise police in advance. Along with her staff, she left the area around 2.45pm.”

No, wait, I meant, do the job you're supposed to do! Not do the modern, politically-correct, avoid confrontation at all costs unless the odds are massively in your favour, job!

Just two hours after police left the area, squatters were seen to be using ladders to gain access to the property once more.

/facepalm

One squatter, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “They smashed a window and threatened us with a crowbar even though they were repeatedly told that what they were doing was against the law.

“We called the police, but when they arrived they showed no concern for our safety and simply stood by ignoring the legal documents we showed them which proved the illegality of Baron Estates attempted eviction.”

And you freeloading scum are such believers in respect and decency and the law, are you?

Marie Geraghty, 37, store manager of Space NK, said: “For the last two weeks, their behaviour has really disrupted my business. … A spokeswoman for Little Coffee Company, two doors down from the squatters, said: “We would have usually had a very busy day, but the negative atmosphere about the place has meant for pretty slow trade.”

Start withholding your business rates, then. You know, the ones that are used to provide a police 'service' that's supposed to work for you...

I Was With You, Right Up Until...

An MP has hit back at claims he was “personally responsible” for a man’s death because of the new anti-squatting laws he pioneered.

Following the death of a homeless man in Kent last month a website has been set up called “Is Mike Weatherley MP Dead?”, which claimed the Conservative politician was “personally responsible”.

The title's odd, isn't it?

But who did he kill, and how? Run him over in his Bentley, did he? While wearing his top hat and smoking a fat cigar, like all good caricatures must?

The anonymous website focuses on Daniel Gauntlett, a homeless man who froze to death on a doorstep of an empty bungalow. 

The website said: “Police stopped him from getting inside the bungalow and he had taken the fatal decision to abide by the law.

Because there were no other options? No alternatives to breaking the law? Pull the other one!

"It was illegal for Daniel to live in the bungalow because of Section 144, the law which criminalises squatting in residential buildings even when they are empty.

But...if he'd been arrested for it, he'd have got a bed for the night! It's a win-win!

“Mike Weatherley introduced this law and is personally responsible for the death of Daniel and all other poor and homeless people who will die as a result of this disastrous legislation.

 Oh, give me a break! There are facilities for these people, but most either don't want to avail themselves of them for lord alone knows what reasons, or have been kicked out of them for abuse - of drugs, of alcohol, of the staff.

"Even worse he now wants to criminalise squatting in commercial properties too.”

Good! It's about time!

Mr Weatherley said he would be reporting the matter to the police.

Ah. And there's where I part company - this is not a matter for the police.

It isn't even libel.

It's just their opinion, and he'd be better off ignoring it. But this is the modern UK, where nothing can be done without a fuss and the authorities getting involved.

Tell Me Again How 'Squatting Is Because Of High Housing Costs'..?

It's the usual refrain from the people who see nothing wrong with this sort of theft, isn't it?

A group of friends are among the first people to be fined for squatting in Croydon.

Oh..? And do tell us how these poor young people are unable to get on the housing ladder because of 'greedy landlords'.

But you'll have to tell us in Spanish...

Marta Alonzo-Navarro, 32, David Fernandez Plaza, 24, Gonzalo Gomez, 20, Alfredo Guerra-Barrera, 24, Jesus Palomeque, 30, Guillen Samartin, 19, and Marta Torres, 24, initially denied occupying the housing association property in Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, without permission.

Their trial had been due to start this week, but at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday they changed their plea to guilty.

The friends, originally from Spain, are among the first to be prosecuted in Croydon under the Government's recent anti-squatting legislation.

I wonder what the penalties are for squatting in Spain?

For 'A Young Man With No Previous Convictions'...

...he's a fast learner:

"This is a young man with no previous convictions, who accepts full responsibility for his behaviour," Mr Sayce said.

Hmmm, and while he was breaking one law, he seems to have decided to be hung for a sheep as well as a lamb:

Makepeace also pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

He admitted three additional charges, of burglary, theft and attempted theft – offences committed in Wood Gate, Loughborough, while on bail for squatting.

Well, a stay in jail will resolve his accommodation 'problem' quite handily. Oh, Silly me.

Magistrate David Womersley sentenced Makepeace to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for burglary and a total of nine weeks in prison, also suspended, for trespass, theft and attempted theft – to run concurrently.

*sighs*

The Violence And Incoherence Of The Entitlement Generation…

Mike Weatherley, who represents Hove, has spoken of his horror after he was “besieged” by up to 100 protestors.

One of his colleagues, an intern, was struck by a rock and another had a punch swung at him as angry scenes broke out yesterday afternoon.

Mr Weatherley was chased from the Asa Briggs Lecture Theatre, across the Falmer campus and sought refuge in a locked building.

Police were called and, surrounded by six officers, Mr Weatherley was escorted out into a waiting riot van.

Yes. You read that right. No arrests.

Rather than drive the violent protesters back, the police convince the people who have a legitimate right to be there that they should remove themselves for their own safety the police’s convenience

They should be ashamed of themselves. As should the ‘Argus’, for giving these protesters a forum.

The people who claimed to have attacked him spoke exclusively to The Argus.

They said: “This is a war. Not a war that we chose, but a war that we are confronted with daily.

“The time for debate is over, closing with the passing of “Weatherley's Law”.

“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich and poor alike to sleep in empty properties, not to suffer the streets, and to steal warmth.”

It’s the same old tired rhetoric that we've heard so many times before.

A university spokeswoman said: “We are appalled to hear that Mike Weatherley was prevented from speaking on campus by a group of protesters.

"We believe that the violent disruption was led by activist protesters from outside of the university, not by our students.”

They may well have led it, but quite a few of ‘your students’ willingly followed, eh?

As the comments at the Argus’s other article show, the public seem to have had enough of these whining, over-privileged adult children:

Crystal Ball says...

So "Peaceful protests" now escalates to assault with weapons? If students, were they supposed to be at a lecture or "off sick"? Same goes for those that might have jobs but chose not to be there for this purpose. Lots of faces on camera to trace perpetrators.

Well, indeed. If only anyone had the will to do so…

Most of these commenters don’t seem to have the slightest idea about…well, anything, really:

dhamallamafarmer says...

But Wetherley is suppose do t be left wing since he's a member of the Labour Party.

/facepalm

There are some sensible people though:

Mark22 says...

As a student of the Uni i'd like to say that these people don't represent the vast majority of Sussex Students who just want to get on with their studies. This video certainly doesn't show the whole story, and yet only the end of what was a violent and disgusting protest. Some of the people protesting were not even Sussex Students. It is so sad to see that a University, especially one so well regarded as Sussex can no longer be the home for a reasoned and peaceful debate, which was Mike Weatherleys intention in coming to the campus.

That draws a lot of fire from the usual suspects. But there are signs their rhetoric is wearing thin:

AmboGuy says... Chazza65 wrote: stoning is about the only thing these privileged tory mps understand - they won't care two hoots when people evicted from squats freeze to death on the streets this winter - well played sussex students keep up the good work! Yeah the strange thing seems to be that the squatters around Brighton seem to be so hard up they manage to throw parties every night while simultaneously trashing the place they're in. Come one, for god sake this 'most vulnerable members of society' line is getting very tiresome now.

Isn't it just?

Humans Are Not Bees Or Ants, Owen, That’s Why…

Owen Hatherley again. This time extolling the virtues of communal living:

Communes are not, as a rule, taken particularly seriously as possible living arrangements for the majority of the population. For some reason, it is still considered common sense for housing, irrespective of its quality, to be as private as possible.

Well, yes. Just as the privately-owned car will always be superior to public transport.

It’s a bit of a no-brainer really.

But in practice, especially in larger cities, housing is collective by accident. It's not just students – the housing crisis is pushing people into flatsharing into their 30s and beyond.

Ah, yes, the ‘housing crisis’, or rather more accurately, the ‘housing (where houses are too expensive where the jobs are) crisis’…

But luxury flats rented to groups of aspirant junior clerks or sold-off council housing and private rented accommodation subdivided into multiple profitably lettable units both ensure that basic facilities – such as toilets and kitchens – have to be shared, without the space or the design being prepared for that. Could collective housing, where the sharing of communal spaces is assumed from the outset, be the answer?

Probably not, no.

But little Owen’s off to find an example that works, which can then be used to prove the same thing will work in a different country with a different social history:

Berlin's Lebensort Vielfalt (Diverse Living Space) is the kind of housing project that no developer or municipality in the UK would consider for a split second. An LGBT housing scheme, with 60% allocated to older tenants, it's the kind of quietly successful project that undemonstratively shows other ways of living are possible.

In what way is it ‘diverse’ if it only caters to LGBT people?

Meanwhile, squats, long the major laboratory of experiments in group living, are being criminalised, not coincidentally at the time when they're most needed. Squatting is usually – and especially now – a response to emergency, a matter of improvisation, taking somewhere dilapidated, removing the trees growing into the floorboards and getting electricity and drainage working.

But as we’ve seen before, squatting is not – and rarely has been – ‘a response to emergency’. And it rarely results in an improvement to the building, in fact, quite the opposite.

… collective living no longer needs to be attached to a "lifestyle" or an easily parodied stereotype. As the crisis of private housing rages, it looks increasingly sensible.

Then, as I asked before, Owen, where do you live?

Well, Why Don’t You Buy It Then?

The Cross Keys in Chelsea, whose previous patrons include Agatha Christie, Dylan Thomas and Bob Marley, has been empty since it was closed by owner Andrew Bourne earlier this year.

Mr Bourne said the pub was not making a profit and wanted to turn it into a £10 million residence complete with basement swimming pool, but was turned down by planners.

But never fear, there’s always someone willing to take it off your hands! And I do mean ‘take’. As in ‘steal’…

He is now taking legal action to evict the 17 squatters, who moved in two weeks ago and have pledged to open to the community for events, an art gallery, community library and for Sunday lunches.

/facepalm

In a note attached to the outside of the building, which has been boarded up since the summer, the squatters wrote: “Hello neighbours, we are your friendly local squatters. “I can assure you that we are quiet and respectful and we would love to seamlessly become a part of your community. We are keeping your pub safe and tidy until it is going to be used again.”

You mean you’re stealing someone else’s property and expect to be treated like Robin Hood because you’re ‘giving back to the community’?

Does that mean it’s OK for me to burgle next door’s fridge as long as I use it to put on a street party? So nice to know…

The squatters, who are aged between 17 and 36 and moved from a previous squat in Holborn, are not subject to new laws criminalising squatting because they are in a commercial building.

That was a mistake, then, wasn’t it? Why was it drawn up that way? And just who are these cheeky little scamps?

Mariana Costa, 21, a Portuguese theatre student, said: “It is boarded up and empty so we can squat here. We have welcomed many members of the community in and everyone seems quite happy about us being here.”

Really? I’d rather you were back in Portugal.

Or do they deal with thieves less leniently over there? Is that why you’re here in the first place?

Mr Bourne, a property developer, said it was “outrageous” that the squatters could move into the pub, which opened in 1708. He has applied for an eviction order and will go before West London County Court on November 5.

He said: “The notice they have put on the door is rubbish and the police have been called out by neighbours some three times already. It has brought crime to the area.

“They are professional squatters who know exactly what they are doing. They will be gone in a week or so, I think they will probably walk out after November 5.”

I suspect he’s right. These people tend to know just how far they can push things.

The locals who agree to give interviews to the ‘Standard’, however, swear they have no problems with theft, as long as it isn't happening to them:

Residents in Lawrence Street said there had been little disturbance from the squatters at the Cross Keys. Matthew Millett, 30, a property consultant, said: “I would prefer it if they weren't there but they haven’t caused me any nuisance or made me feel unsafe.

“I haven’t seen them but I have seen people talking about them, people are looking a bit upset about it. They seemed to be in there quite quickly once the ruling went against Andrew Bourne.

“The pub is an institution, it is Chelsea’s oldest pub. Too many local pubs have shut, because of its location it is a much-loved pub.”

But clearly not loved enough, or it wouldn't have closed.

Ben Kerrigan, 24, a landscape gardener and electrician, said: “They are quite quiet, we don’t ever see anything of them. Most people in this area want the pub to stay, if it closes there is going to be more crime.”

Really? How come? Are you planning on going out mugging, Ben, now you can't have a pint in the Cross Keys instead?

In an email, the squatters told the Standard: “The people dearly miss having the Cross Keys as a community foundation and we know we can adequately maintain that base for the people.

“After so much effort trying to save this pub, it is our main concern to make this dream come true. The community would be helping us by allowing us to have the Cross Keys and we would help them.”

‘The community’ doesn't own the Cross Keys – Mr Bourne does.

They can’t give it to you. And he doesn't want to.

End of.

So Much For The Crusties’ Hopes Of A Popular Revolt Against The New Squatting Laws…

…turns out the public’s all in favour!

People living in town centre high-rises, such as Malvern, Quantock, Pennine, Chiltern, Temple Court and Sutton Court, believe the changes could stop people occupying homes.

On Saturday, it became a criminal offence to squat, and anyone convicted of the offence could face six months jail or a £5,000 fine.

Mike McKenzie, who lives in Sutton Court, said: “We’ve had trouble with squatters blocking off the drying rooms. They managed to walk in behind a genuine resident and then set up there, bolting the door shut.

“It stopped us from using the rooms.

“A law like this should help. No one should have the right, just because you’ve got an open front door, to come in and say: ‘That’s mine now’. ”

Hear hear!

A mother-of-two, who lives in Malvern tower block, off Queensway, repeatedly complained to South Essex Homes after a group of squatters moved into a neighbouring flat. They were finally booted out in May after a court order, but residents had to put up with months of aggravation first.

The woman, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “I think it would definitely help. We had problems with them having rowdy parties and throwing bottles out of the window.

“I was worried for my children because of the broken glass they left outside.”

Quite a difference from the sob stories of basically-decent folk fallen on hard times the ‘Guardian’ tried to foist on us, eh?

Street pastor Del Thomas, who regularly patrols Southend to care for its homeless population, said: “The new law is going to have a huge impact on Southend. “I work with rough sleepers, and there are lots of rough sleepers who squat and there are a lot of empty buildings being used.

“However, it depends on how strictly the police enforce it, because at the end of the day it’s their choice. They can either use the law or not.”

Errr, no, sorry, Del boy. I think you’ll find that the police will have no choice but to act if a crime is reported.

And they’ve started already!

And May It Be The First Of Many, Many More!

I'll admit, I thought the first case would be in Bristol, but no.

The squealing and rending of garments on the left has been awesome! More please, faster!

Communists, Moochers And Fakecharities Unite In Tantrum Against New Law…

Alan, an art teacher in his late 40s, began squatting a few months ago when his marriage broke down. He enquired about social housing, but was told none was available.

"I was born in London and have lived here all my life but it seems I'm expected to go somewhere else where I know nobody," he says.

"Is that what the big society is all about?"

Who knows?

I know what it isn’t about, though.

It isn’t about theft. It isn’t about parasitism. It isn’t about entitlement. It isn’t about people getting a free ride on the work of others because they aren’t prepared to make changes.

From Saturday Alan and up to 20,000 other squatters in England and Wales face eviction as police prepare to enforce a radical change to the law which criminalises those occupying residential buildings.

The police will probably make a few high-profile raids then go back to fobbing people off at every turn, but hey! It’s a start…

Squatters' rights organisations say the change in the law is unnecessary when legal remedies already exist for property owners …

The problem is that they are costly, time-consuming, enrich more - *spit* - lawyers and don’t prevent your home being trashed. Nor do they adequately punish the miscreants.

… while housing charities say that it could trigger a sharp increase in homelessness.

Nonsense! By definition, these squatters are already ‘homeless’. They are just hidden from stats!

Police are refusing to comment on any plans to embark on evictions over the weekend, but some eviction notices have already been reported in London.

Good. Bring ‘em on!

The ‘Guardian’ continues with it’s cavalcade of sob stories:

Rachel, not her real name, is in her late 20s. She does voluntary work with the NHS.

"This house may be classified as residential," she said, "but it's not fit to live in. We had to stop leaks in the roof and replumb the building.

"We want to improve the building so that we can have an agreement with the owners to stay. Unfortunately they won't talk to us. I have never claimed benefits before but I may have to consider it. Suddenly becoming a criminal overnight is tough. Housing is a basic need."

Food is a basic need too. That doesn’t mean we are entitled to steal it from others whenever we want without sanction…

There are, of course, plenty of fakecharities lining up to get their views known:

Myk Zeitlin, a volunteer at the Advisory Service for Squatters, said: "This legislation is badly designed. It is a response to a myth started by sections of the media that people were having their homes squatted while they were out.

"There were already laws to cover such non-existent circumstances."

It’s ‘a myth’, is it? Tell that to these people!

Duncan Shrubsole, director of policy for Crisis, the charity for single homeless people, said: "The majority of people squatting are in empty buildings. Forty percent of homeless people have squatted at some time. We will see street homelessness rise if there's a blitz against squats. It will have a dramatic impact."

Good. It’s meant to!

Catherine Brogan of Squash, the campaign group which opposed the bill, said: "It's the wrong time to be criminalising homeless people. Rents keep going up. Vulnerable people are being demonised. This will benefit landlords who leave their premises empty."

Rather begs the questing, then, when is the right time to be ‘criminalising the homeless’?

And why shouldn’t they leave their premises empty? It’s their property. Who are you to tell them how they should use it?

Peter Risdon argues that the medieval age had a far better solution (citing the blighting effects on future employment prospects of criminalising squatters), but I disagree.

Thieves is what they are. Why shouldn’t they finally be treated as such?

James Higham believes this is just laying the ground for the dystopian nightmare of future rent increases, but again I disagree.

Most of the sqautters that come to press or blog attention aren't ordinary people who've fallen on hard times, but parasites or professional criminals.

Much as it pains me, I salute the ConDems for at least getting something right!

Parasitism – It’s A Way Of Life!

And not just for ichneumon wasps, either:

A campaign group says it will camp in Victoria Gardens, Brighton, in protest at plans to make squatting illegal – and the city council will let them.

Well, of course they will. Look where it is.

Changes to the law, which come into effect on September 1, will see squatting in residential properties a criminal offence.

In a rallying cry to supporters the group said: “They take our houses, so we’ll take their city.

“We will resist the squatting ban by any means necessary.”

‘Our’ houses..?

The Squatter’s Network of Brighton is calling for a Mass Squatting Action on October 13 to resist the new anti-squatting laws.

“This act is draconian, unworkable, an attack on our way of living…”

A strange way of living, that requires stealing the fruits of others’ labour.

Be careful what you set in motion, won’t you?

Hove MP Mike Weatherly, who had been campaigning for the new law, said: “I fully accept people have the right to protest, but squatting in our public parks is not something I approved of. "If they are there in October then all they are doing is crying out for increased powers.

“The new law will only affect squatting in residential properties, but if they start abusing other areas of land and commercial properties then all they are going to do is hasten the introduction of laws to these areas as well.”

Playing right into the State's hands, and too stupid to see it!

Here’s Someone Who Won’t Be Receptive…

…to the police ‘Anti-Winsor Campaign’:

Dave Durant says there was clear evidence that squatters had broken into Granby House in St John's Road, Bedminster, on Wednesday afternoon and police could have made arrests.

But he says they declined to use their discretion or collect evidence, hiding behind their fear of squatters' rights.

Gosh. How surprising. You’d think they’d be only too happy to use any excuse to head off another potential problem area, wouldn’t you?

Mr Durant, who has a planning application in to turn the building into flats and houses, is concerned that by letting the squatters stay, their lives are at risk as the building is currently under renovation and has no staircases.

There is also a risk of exposed electrics as the building has been vandalised by thieves trying to steal copper.

The 59-year-old from Somerset says he is also concerned that he will be held responsible for any tragedy but feels that the police's failure to act should make them culpable as well.

I don’t think he could be held responsible, surely? I mean, sure, maybe by the useful idiots, but not by anyone worth listening to..

But in a statement Avon and Somerset police say an investigation established there was no damage caused to the property and therefore the incident was a civil matter.

It’s amazing how evidence has a way of disappearing when inconvenient.

He told the Post: "Everybody knows the law is an ass when it comes to squatting.

"The police arrived and there was evidence of bolt croppers being used to gain entry. Police say there was no evidence of forced entry but that is just not true.

"They could have cleared them out straight away but they didn't and now it's turning into a nightmare.

"Initially there were five and now people are saying there is about a dozen." Mr Durant said the experience had led him to have more contempt for the police than he did for the squatters.

I can see why, frankly. It’s about time squatting was made a crime, and not merely a civil case. Then they’d have to act.

But it’s not just their failure to act that rankles:

Mr Durant also said he also could not understand why so many police needed to attend the scene if they could do nothing.

"I really, really object to five policemen turning up to tell you there's nothing they can do," he said.

"I cannot believe the police are under pressure if they can spare people to stand around for an hour."

He’s got a point. Perhaps it’s like the old Soviet Union joke, reworked for Britain in 2012 – one who can read, one who can write, one to keep watch on the two dangerous intellectuals, and the other two…? 

Answers on a postcard in the comments, please!

Tanya Gold Finds That There Are Things Even CiF Won’t Put Up With…

If clause 130 passes, squatting an unoccupied residential property will no longer be a civil offence but a criminal one, punishable by a maximum fine of £5,000 – which feels like a joke when tossed at the homeless – or a sentence of up to a year.

And you’d expect the commenters to be singing along to that particular hymn sheet, wouldn’t you?

Particularly when she really hits her stride:

Nor is the public agitated by squatting. When the Ministry of Justice consulted about squatting, 2,126 responses came from "members of the public concerned about the impact of criminalisation" and only 25 were from "members of the public concerned about the harm squatting can cause". The people, as ever, are kinder than their government.

Not the CiF commenters. The top-rated comments so far:


And there's more...


In fact, the few comments in favour barely get into triple figures for recommendations, and even long-time died-in-the-wool left wing commenters aren't giving Tanya a free pass:



Oh dear. Poor Tanya. It does make me wonder, though, just who the MinJust sampled for their little survey...

Lawyers: They Just Can’t Stop Making Excuses For People!

A lawyer told how he was "horrified" to find squatters had moved into his half-finished £4million home.

Hah! Well, since it’s now happened to a lawyer, can we expect less sympathy, and more harsh action?

Oh, and they aren’t just stealing his property, they’re changing it beyond all recognition!

Bags of rubbish, bricks and other debris are strewn in the front garden of the property, which has been undergoing building work for the past year, while the squatters are said to have made some drastic changes inside.

Mr Lal, 38, a partner in a law firm, said today: "It is horrifying that this can happen. I've only seen the house from the outside but they've certainly made changes. I think they've plumbed in a kitchen and bathroom."

You’d expect him to be furious, but it seems, no, understanding is what’s required:

"What seems to have happened is a misunderstanding," said Mr Lal. "These squatters thought the property was abandoned, but actually it's a building site that's going to be turned into a high-spec residential property.

"Highgate is an expensive area and that house is worth a fortune. These people thought somebody had just left it like that but we were waiting on planning permission."

They are thieves. You aren’t at work now. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THEM!

A notice pinned to the front window, apparently by the squatters, states that anyone attempting to enter the building will face legal action. It reads: "We live in this property, it is our home and we intend to stay here."

It’s not your home. Only in this country, with this situation, can a thief be so goddamn brazen about their thievery!

One Polish occupant, 24, who did not want to give her name, said high London rents left her no option but to live there. "We always try to find buildings which are empty and abandoned," she said. "There are so many empty buildings which are just not in use and no one living in them. Why? It is a big waste."

Well, I’m not driving my car on weekdays, since I use public transport, would you like that too, you freeloading bitch?

"My friend is a single mum and she was waiting for a very long time to get a council flat. She was living in a squat because she couldn't make money and afford to pay rent. Squatting is a kind of solution.

"Squatting for me is not forever, it is something I do for the moment. As long as I don't hurt somebody else's feelings it is okay."

What utter self-absorption! What shameless admittance that the law is there for others to obey, but not her, unless she feels like it!

Much grist for MacHeath’s mill here, I suspect…

But then, with useful idiots like Mr Lal cringing before these scofflaws, what else can you expect?

Mr Lal said planning approval has now been given and building work will resume on Monday. He explained he had struck a deal with the group.

"The squatters have agreed to vacate before the building work starts and if they're true to their word, they should leave," he said.

Newsflash, Mr Lal. They are criminals. Their word means about as much as yours, though you probably charge more….