New law will ‘shut door’ on squatters

Ministers said the move would shut the door on squatters once and for all and help protect hard-working home owners.

But campaigners warned that criminalising squatting in residential buildings would lead to an increase in some of the most vulnerable homeless people sleeping rough.

The introduction of the offence - which will carry a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail for persistent offenders, a £5,000 fine or both – follows a Government consultation on the issue last summer.

But homeless charity Crisis said the new law would criminalise vulnerable people, leaving them in prison or facing a fine they cannot pay.