Squatter Hell for Hampton Residents

3.07.53pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Nov 2007

A Hampton family has been put through 'two months of hell' as a result of a squatter family moving in with a caravan on housing association land next door. The housing association (Richmond Churches) says it 'doesn't know what to do', and the police say they are powerless. Vincent Cable, MP, has taken up the issue with both Richmond Churches, and the police and the public health services - since the site is being used as a toilet, and says: "squatters present some legal complications but the law has been tightened up in recent years and there is no reason why the landowners - Richmond Churches Housing Association - should not be moving swiftly to secure an eviction with the support of the police. In this case the squatters are clearly trying it on - they have installed a generator and now moved in a second family - but their law abiding neighbours should not be left to bear the brunt of their anti social behaviour. The authorities should use the legal powers they have to protect the neighbourhood and their own property".