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"The sisters are in their native Philippines" ! are there any English left in London.

- Jonathan, France Nice, 10/09/2011 10:11
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Rupert Rigsby: if your Romanian friend is such a paragon, she's needed far more in her own country than here. Also, I expect Romania has spare housing, too!

- Whitgifter, Croydon, UK, 25/08/2011 10:44
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Forgot to say this in my last comment but this woman HAS to live in a squat - with a face like that she's not going to earn anything flogging the mutton on a street corner is she?

- Miffed, Oxted, Surrey, 25/08/2011 10:11
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When Labour came to power in 1997 several of the Labour MP’s had offspring who were occupying squats in various areas of London.
Some of these properties had been squatted for almost 12 years – under the 12 year rule if you occupy a property for 12 years and a day without paying any rent then you can legally claim the property as your own – so it wasn’t in the MP’s interests to make squatting illegal.
I would be surprised if there were no MP’s in the current parliament whose offspring were squatting, so getting the law changed isn’t going to happen any time soon.

- Miffed, Oxted, Surrey, 25/08/2011 08:53
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Spain has deported all Rumanians - easy peasy. If someone squats in my house they get a knuckle sandwich. The police in London are useless. So these people had a key to the door - it's still illegal entry.

- Charly, London, 25/08/2011 07:12
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SQUATTERS need to hung. publicly hung. these people need to know that making life a horror for innocent people will no longer be tolorated. the british government has for too long loved the criminal and hated the innocent victim.

the police need a forceful reminder that they are suppose to protect the innocent against the guilty not the guilty for the innocent.

p. bloomberg
old man
glendale, ca

- p. bloomberg, glendale, ca, 25/08/2011 01:28
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SQUATTERS need to hung. publicly hung. these people need to know that making life a horror for innocent people will no longer be tolorated. the british government has for too long loved the criminal and hated the innocent victim.

the police need a forceful reminder that they are suppose to protect the innocent against the guilty not the guilty for the innocent.

p. bloomberg
old man
glendale, ca

- p. bloomberg, glendale, ca, 25/08/2011 01:27
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So Spain banned the gypsies they dont take notice of EU Law then why cant the uk? I think if u cant support yourself and on Benefits after 3 months they CAN BE SENT BACK!

- silverspurs, hove uk, 25/08/2011 00:30
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"The response from the police was these people were there legally." Seriously? This is not a criminal offense? Why?- Susan, Salt Lake City, Utah, 24/08/2011 21:34

A Geography lesson Susan: the police here will hsppily throw someone out of their wheelchair or smash a drunk person down so hard it ruptures their guts but confront young rioters or heave east europeans they'll do what all bullies do. Stand and shiver.

- Steve, Brentford, 24/08/2011 23:08
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Primary duty of any government is to support its citizens to lead a peaceful life. I don't know why our government is not taking action on these kind of criminality and letting this to take place at the first place? Even a developing country won’t allow such stupidity, let alone a developed country like Britain. How the law abiding common man can feel confidence and I don't know how it is going to help the country if its citizen (who helps the UK economy) feel afraid to go out (or stay in). People who own a house know the hard work they put in to get into the ladder and how much safe he/she will feel if something of this sort happen? And unfortunately our law is in favour of thieves and squatters. When someone breaks into your property you can use ‘reasonable’ force. What does ‘reasonable’ means? It is relative. So the law abiding citizen is confused there as well. We as a country is more and more rewarding lazy people and until something gets out of hands (see what happened to the riots), authorities just sit and watch. May be few years down the line authorities can do another survey spending millions to understand the reason, why people loose faith in their system.

- Kuma, London, 24/08/2011 23:01
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It is up to the Government to change the law at the moment if you squat the owner has to pay to get you out why there should be a law against it per haps the people in there have been told by someone that it's their house and they can use it new law prove it's yours and the council will know who pays the rates

- J Cooke, Minneapolis USA (LOndoner), 24/08/2011 22:40
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Do these people pay council tax? No. The council should know who pays the tax at the property and hence who lives there. Why are we paying tax for if the council and police are a waste of space?? Why isn't Boris getting tough on this when everyone can see how rampant this has become? Close down the squatters website, jail them and then deport them for starters. Are we Brits the only Mugs in the western world??

- M, London, 24/08/2011 21:42
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"The response from the police was these people were there legally." Seriously? This is not a criminal offense? Why?

- Susan, Salt Lake City, Utah, 24/08/2011 21:34
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This seems to be idiocy.Politicians saying we can defend our properties against those who break-in while we are in residence.But we can't if we are not at home.Please let me out of this asylum to help take over.

- Bazz, Haywards Heath West Sussex, 24/08/2011 21:32
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Keith 20:34 - that's why you should just use force yourself and not involve the police, as the law allows you to do. Their primary interest is in keeping the peace and not in helping you. As you are the rightful occupier and will have the means to prove it eventually (either documents hidden in the house or kept online - such as Evernote) you will be able to demonstrate you are the occupier but by that time the squatters will be out with no legal redress either civil or criminal. You just need some big friends and determination to act quickly.

- David, London, UK, 24/08/2011 21:04
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I feel the need to correct comments I have read as to the law – both in the article “Squatters invade house….” and in the Editorial Comment today.

It is true that squatting is not always a criminal offence but to say that it is only a criminal offence when the squatters have broken in to the property is not quite correct.

It is a criminal offence to squat if the squatter has entered as a trespasser and remains squatting whilst there is what is known as a displaced residential occupier. This does not necessarily mean that the squatters have to have broken in, just that they have entered as a trespasser which simply means without the owner’s or the tenant’s consent. Not only is it a criminal offence but it is an arrestable offence.

So, if owners or tenants of a property return from holiday to find squatters in their home they can report the matter to the police and if the squatters entered as trespassers (i.e without permission) and remain whilst the owner/tenant is a displaced residential occupier, a criminal office is being committed and the police can arrest- thus enabling the owner/tenant to regain occupation immediately and without a Court Order.

I can see some situations where the police may not accept that the evidence before them is clear cut but in my experience as a housing lawyer of many years experience, the police should be more willing to get involved in such ammeters – sadly I suspect that they see such matters as Civil matters.

Criminal Law Act 1977

- John Gorringe, London, England, 24/08/2011 21:03
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We have what I believe is a legally let house in our road. How many people actually live there puzzles me but it is rather a lot. Their habits are unusual. No toilet used as they go and pee up the tree outside in the quiet close. They sit in their back garden until the early hours (weather has been kinder during late evenings recently) all shouting at each other in a foreign language whilst us who have to work are trying to sleep. No one to complain to as landlord has gone back to his own country again. Their idea of a "musical evening" is to place radios on the outside windowsills and turn the volume up full. Used to be such a nice road ...........

- Amber in Mitchaml., mitcham surrey, 24/08/2011 20:56
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HOLLO BORIS JUST SEEN LOADS OF SQUATTING GOING ON IN LONDON.
TEAR YOURSELF AWAY FROM GIVING MONEY TO FOOTBALL AND SPEND IT ON A FEW POLICEMEN, OR PERHAPS A SOLICITOR TO EXPLAIN THE LAW TO SCOTLAND YARD.
WE ARE AFRAID TO LEAVE OUR HOMES.

- Alan., England, 24/08/2011 20:40
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@ David 19.20

The problem being that s7 of the Criminal Law Act allows 'squatters' a legal defence against such eviction if they can demonstrate that they believed that the person requiring them to leave the premises was not a displaced residential occupier. As I understand it, these 'squatters' cleverly have a piece of paper in their hand from another (third) party which purports to assign THEM the legal right of occupation - either via formal rental or sale. Whether or not they know this to be false is neither here nor there - they can use it to claim legal right of occupation and thus nullify the police. And remember too that most of us will have our own paperwork proving ownership buried somewhere within the occupied premises!

- Keith, London, 24/08/2011 20:34
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HALLOW 10 DOWNING STREET OR SCOTLAND YARD ANYONE THERE.

- Alan., England, 24/08/2011 20:25
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Lets get one thing straight, they are not Romanians - they are gypsys from Romania (or Bulgaria). True Romanians work hard (legally), are a proud race and would never beg, steal or rob. In fact, proper Romanians absolutely detest "their" parasite gypsy community because of the crime associated with them.

- The Stars, london, 24/08/2011 19:47
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I am amazed at the level of ignorance about the rights of homeowners who find squatters in their homes after returning from holiday or an evening out. The poor reporting in your paper heightens fears and feeds on this ignorance. They are Displaced Residential Occupiers and are protected by s7 1(a) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. This means that they can force entry and eject the squatters immediately and without reference to police or courts and are protected by this law against any criminal action against them. The police are reported in your paper as saying the homeowner will need an "eviction order". They do not. If the DRO demands re-entry to their home a criminal offence has been committed by the squatters and the police are required to take action immediately. No reference to any court is required. If the police will not act, as is likely because doing nothing is easier, take action yourself.

Even the YouGov website makes this clear: "This means that if you break down the door of your own home where you are living, you wouldn’t be committing a crime. However, you would need to be able to prove you are a displaced residential occupier or protected intending occupier."

The proposed change of law to criminalise squatting is welcome, and although not necessary for homeowners to take action will at least force the police to do what they should be doing anyway. Don't call the police or pay lawyers. Read the law for yourself and take action.

- David, London, 24/08/2011 19:20
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I cannot believe this is happenening on my street, or anybodies street for that matter. UK tax payers are not safe in there own homes. It makes me so angry to hear that just 15 house down the road from me are people (if true) have broken in and appropriated someone's abode. My next door neighbours are shocked too. These people actually moved in last Saturday, yet the papers have only reported it today. I am digusted and angry. I wish the GOvernment on Immigration Law would follow Australia's as a leading example, i.e. no skills and no contribution to the econmony, then you cannot live here. I am sorry for th two ladies that own the house appropriated. I really do. I am going to make a copy of my documentation and keep it at the bank because it certianly is not safe in my house.

- Sarah, Glenthorne Road, New Southgate, 24/08/2011 19:05
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Yes, you're right, Edourdo: only in ENGLAND.
Might it have something to do with the fact that in the main we've been under Scottish control for so long? PMs Tony B-liar, Edinburgh-born; Gordon Brown, Scottish, and now one David Cameron!)

- Whitgifter, Croydon, UK, 24/08/2011 18:13
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Yet again a situation is left to fester until one day these people break/tresspass into the wrong address and the owner taskes none of this nonsense,someone gets hurt or killed and then and only then will the law catch up - not before the owner is arrested and jailed no doubt.

- Gary, East London, 24/08/2011 18:11
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Continuing my previous comment:
British press has to learn from the Italian one, and stop referring at romanian gypsies as Romanian. They have to write about them as Romani or Romms. It was the same problem in Italy until they stopped doing it.
The difference is huge between a Romanian and a Romani and I totally agree with their ban in the UK. But please don`t discriminate us anymore because of them, we are hard workers and I am tired to go at work or at university and pointed out as a person that steals and break into people houses.
Stop discriminate the Romanian nation because of their minorities. When something happens with a British citizen who has a Birtish Passport but has a different background, you don`t write in the press as A British national,do you? So,please respect our rights and do what Italy has done and write about them as Romani or Romms.
We are fed up about this situation and we can`t do anything about it. We are not guilty because our country was invaded by gypsies. They ruined our country and there is not much to do because of racism. But you can all change this by informing people that a Romanian national is not the same as A Romani one. Yes, there are plenty of them in Romania, but they are very different of us.
Refferring to squatting, this is a British law and everyone does it, even English people, so this is a major problem in this country.
And yes, ban all Roamani/Romms but leave Romanian live their lives that they truly work for. Thank you!

- Cristina H, London, UK, 24/08/2011 17:57
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"who are thought to be Romanian"

Are they or aren't they Romanian? I see lots of offending comments based on a supposition not on a real fact.

How could you blame an entire nation(Romanian people) starting from a supposition???

- Ben Johnson, Bucharest, Romania, 24/08/2011 17:55
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I am a Romanian student at University of Greenwich and currently have 2 jobs during the summer. I am totally disgusted and ashamed of Romanian gypsies that has made our live hard since we were born.
I am making an appeal to all British press to stop writing about Romanian gypsies as Romanians because they are not!!!
We don`t speak the same language), we don`t have the same customes or the same beliefs, they have no education because they are sent to steal since they are 10 and we don`t even look the same!!
If you type into Google "Romanian gypsies" you can find this : The Romani (gypsies) are an ethnic group living mostly in Europe, who trace their origins to the Indian Subcontinent. Romani are also widely known in the English-speaking world by the exonym Gypsies.Romani are widely dispersed, with their largest concentrated populations in Europe, especially the Roma of Central and Eastern Europe and Anatolia.
So, can you please reffer to them in future articles as Romani or Romms and not Romanians? It just makes our life so hard here. For example I always read Metro or Evening Standard and I see articles such as Romanians gangs squatting houses or sending children to beg or giving birth at the age of 10. Please understand that these are not ROMANIANS, THESE ARE ROMANI OR ROMMS , romanians don`t do these things. They are very hard workers mostly working here in the hardest jobs such as construction,cleaning and bar jobs.And they all pay taxex and their rent !

- Cristina H, London, UK, 24/08/2011 17:43
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Some thoughts from a Romanian living and working in UK:

1) Romanians are not Squatting any houses in UK. Gypsies with Romanian Passport are doing that. Do not know the difference? Look at Inna (the singer) and look at the woman in the photo. Do they resemble at all?
2) The Gypsies have no interest in the home, only the goods inside. Even if they were given the home free and empty, they would not take it. They are a migrant people and always will be. That's why they do not want/need jobs.
3) Spain didn't ban Romanian migrants, just workers, which now need a permit, just like in the UK.
4) Romania produces high-level intellectuals which are working all over West Europe, I don't think banning all would be in the interest of a Country, but rules should be made to ensure that such people as the ones presented above don't abuse the system.

- Sebastian, Leicester, UK, 24/08/2011 17:42
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I have a very very stupid question. Why does this only happen in England ?

I have a very very stupid answer: it has nothing to do with the EU otherwise Romanians would be doing the same on the Riviera....no you have very stupid people governing you ! And, and, you obviously can't read EU laws correctly as nowhere does it say you can squat a home...probably a translation mistake.

Sorry, yes it must say so somewhere in England.

- Edouardo, TLSE, France, 24/08/2011 17:19
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Squatting should be a criminal offence. It is absurd that people have to spend a fortune to get their own homes back, but i someone stole their car they would have to pay nothing and their would end up with a spell in gaol.

- M E Corby, London UK, 24/08/2011 17:00
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Conspiracy Factualist - great idea. You go first and find a place and we'll be right behind you.

- Blue Eyes UK, Crystal Palace, 24/08/2011 16:59
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This is not the fault of the police it comes under civil law the police can't act, the politicians are to blame they have had years to sort this out,but,are to lazy to do anything, & the Lib/Dems don't want the Human Rights Art changed

- peter, London, 24/08/2011 16:49
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What a coincidence that Spain kicked them all out and these people speak Spanish.
Why is it that most other European countries ignore EU legislation that they don't like and we roll over?
Enough!

- Stewart, SW19, 24/08/2011 16:45
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Why don't we, the Evening Standard opinion put together a petition on the nr 10 website.

- mrkmp, london, 24/08/2011 16:40
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How is it this rabble can just walk in without breaking in ? Not to mention the houses !.
Let us hope the new law is retrospective. I suppose the whole rotten family is on benefits already.

- Michael, Kensington, UK, 24/08/2011 16:33
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Proud Londoner, please can you publish here your address and the dates of your holidays. You clearly don't mind this criminal theft, so this lot will be welcome round at yours.

- Peter, London, 24/08/2011 16:11
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I sympathise with Whutgifter.
Meanwhile, Parliament could pass a bill in one afternoon to stop this wicked practice.
Does the EU have anything to do with "Romanians & their families coming to the UK for a better life for themselves & their families" (as the BBC would put it )?

- The Convenient Truth, Reading, England, 24/08/2011 16:04
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Please explain to an ignorant American how this happens? I don't understand why they can't be removed from housing to which they have neither a lease or a mortgage.

- Anglophile, Anywhere but here, 24/08/2011 15:59
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"The squatters, who are thought to be Romanian, moved into a £500,000 property in New Southgate owned by Amelita and Lilia Olasa, who are in their native Philippines."
Hah! ...Foreigners ripping off other foreigners for OUR housing-stock. What's that we're always being told about a so-called "housing shortage" in the UK?
There's NO shortage at all, just too many people here.

- Whitgifter, Croydon, UK, 24/08/2011 15:46
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We could go to Bucharest and squat in their homes. Romania has some of the cheapest and most fertile land in the world, so we could grow organic food and hang out at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains.

- Conspiracy Factualist, London UK, 24/08/2011 15:38
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Thanks to the "yuman rites" act and our useless police an Englishman's home seems to be anyone's castle who choses to invade it. Something tells me that the EDL and BNP may be around for a while whatever our oxbridge liberal leaders/media would like to have us believe.

- Steve, Brentford, 24/08/2011 15:33
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Actually you know what Dave is right....If you voted Labour or Conservative you voted for this cr@p and the rest of us have to put up with your sitting on the fence view.......
We all know what needs to be done.........

- old ben, London, 24/08/2011 15:22
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If you voted Labour or Conservative then you are getting what you voted for,so enjoy.Ha Ha.

- dave, london, 24/08/2011 15:16
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Romanians can't come to the UK and sign on immediately. EU members can't just turn up and get benefits. Fake landlords and people being ripped off by agents is a problem across London, why The Standard is pretending it's exclusively a Romanian problem is something you'd have to ask the editor, but stop posting these myths about people stepping off the boat at Dover and getting benefits and housing, it's twaddle..

- Harry Cole, Bow.
Of course you are right Harry,but look how many of the ES reading muppets buy it,its the most commented upon artical.
Not one of these commenter's here has any knowledge about the issues,but will happily jump on the band wagon.
And they seem quiet happy to be wound up and played by the media.
Really it is ignorant people like these that are the biggest threat this country faces.

- Mugwump, London uk, 24/08/2011 15:07
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If I came home and found people living in my house, I think I would not involve the Police. I woudl simply get a few mates round and drag them out. There is no way that 99% of these Squatted houses were entered legally. i.e. whether there is any sign of a break in does not mean there wasn't a break in. These days with modern tools it is very easy to open a door.

The Police are not doing their jobs and Squatting must be made against the law. Why isn't it?

- Tony, Wiltshire, 24/08/2011 14:51
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Mr. Cameron and Co, have bigger concerns to deal with (Gaddafi, foreign policies) than work-shy/criminal minded migrants degenerating our civil society...Generally Brits accommodate other people fairly who are hard working but one must bear in mind that these types come from a culture with alien morals that is not usually welcomed by any one of us.. let alone the EDL sympathisers.

- Proud Londoner, London, 24/08/2011 14:50
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Squatting in any property which is not more than two months in arrears of council tax, or to which utility services are connected in another's name, should be outright illegal. Any act which results in the misappropriation, loss or destruction of household chattels within such a property, even if the property was temporarily abandoned, should constitute theft.

This leaves intact the rare but important exception allowing a "squatter" to claim bits of land, and more rarely buildings, that have genuinely been abandoned. It can happen, even today, where an absentee owner dies and his executors do not know that he owned the asset. Any squatter should be required to preserve all personal items fould within the property until its rightful owner re-appears, or until the truly abandoned property is re-registered in the squatter's name twelve years later.

Is this really too hard to pass into law?

- Nigel, London, 24/08/2011 14:27
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Romanians can't come to the UK and sign on immediately. EU members can't just turn up and get benefits. Fake landlords and people being ripped off by agents is a problem across London, why The Standard is pretending it's exclusively a Romanian problem is something you'd have to ask the editor, but stop posting these myths about people stepping off the boat at Dover and getting benefits and housing, it's twaddle..

- Harry Cole, Bow, 24/08/2011 14:26
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Stop all E.U citizens from entering Britain to scroung! No Job, No Home, No money, you're not comming in or you'll have to go. Free movement YES easy scrounging NO. Very simple if our politicains had the will!

- mike M, London, 24/08/2011 14:06
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I agree with Helen from Norwich. People cant really complain as they seem more than happy to vote for the political parties responsible for this situation. Compare the fine city of Norwich with its wonderful local people and regional accent to the mess that is modern day London

- Josh, Bury St Edmunds, 24/08/2011 14:01
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Funny, isn't it, that Mr Cameron for all his big talk is silent on this and fails to protect us from this nonsense.

Oh, and thanks to the Met too, for protecting us too.

What a country, with such weak and useless "authorities".

- Peter, London, 24/08/2011 13:47
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The Romanians are a problem wherever they go, its funny that people in Britain think its only them who are effected by "open borders" , why was Romania ever let in the EU? , why will Turkey be let in? its good for the rich and involves divide and conquer of the workers of countries, I was talking to an Italian who works in the pensions department last week and Romanians are coming to Italy and drawing an Italian old age pension , draining resources, he was fuming but the government is allowing it, all of the EU is involved in this craziness not just GB

- Peter Gee, Puglia, 24/08/2011 13:32
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you do not gain entry to a locked property without BREAKING AND ENTERING. It is about time the Police utilise this facility instead of playing 'computer says no' every time a problem is put in their way.

Again and again the hardworking tax payers of this country are hand tied and hobbled when trying to get what we laughingly call Justice and the workshy and spongers get to benefit.

It really will not be long before the powderkeg of far right extremists WILL have the backing of the man in the street if we do not start to act so take note 'call me Dave' or are you on another holiday today?

- chris, london, 24/08/2011 13:25
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I agree with everything that has already been said. And, yes, we should adopt Spain's policy and ban all Romanians and repatriate them back to Romania. We are in enough trouble as it is and its going to get worse. If they cannot speak English what are they doing here anyway

- Volpone, Stoke Newington, 24/08/2011 13:20
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interesting - I work away on long term contracts abroad and I sk the question is it an insurable risk ?any sensible insurance underwriters out there ?
You can insure your house for fire and structural collapse-terrorist actions and riots.
Third party unlawful theft!!
as it is alleged in this case.
We all know that title of land is administered by the land registry- by agreement between the parties.
So if some third party creates a forged deed and the unlawful transaction takes place.The title deeds at the land registry must be still in the owners name as they are not party to the unlawful agreement-period
Is it possible to insure against this ?
As if you are away and get back to find someone in your house -you then have to stay in a hotel until you get them out-incurring considerable expense!!.
It all increses the cost of living in London - but certainly would ease the pain if insurance cover was available.

- Keith Skelton, Colombo Sri Lanka, 24/08/2011 13:19
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They need the wonderful, and I mean wonderful, British police to BOOT THEM OUT !!!


These people are convinced that the Brits are too soft, that's why the country gets abused like that.

BOOT THEM OUT OF the house and the country !

Make squatting a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

- Lala, London UK, 24/08/2011 13:10
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"Take over no 10 ,that guy is always on holiday.- dave, london"

That won't be necessary, as call-me-Dave owns a very nice property 3 roads up from me, in North Kensington.

If call-me-Dave's house was squatted, I can guarantee the law would be changed the following day or even sooner.

- John Smith, London, EUSSR, 24/08/2011 13:03
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I have been married to a Romanian for 34 years and she has always worked and never had a penny in so called 'benefits'. She cannot believe that firstly we let Romania join the EU and secondly we let unemployed Romanians come here, whether gypsies or otherwise, and allow them benefits and housing. In Romania they would get nothing if they didn't work. Personally I wouldn't allow them in if they didn't have jobs to go to(that would stop 99%) and deport those that are already here and don't work or those that steal. My wife would do far, far worse to them but then she is Romanian! My Romanian family (still living and working there and with no intention of emigrating) share her views and are incredulous at what we and other EU countries let immigrants have and get away with. They are quite happy that we take the dregs of Romanian society, it means less problems for them. As to squatting, my family there have no concept of it, it doesn't exist there. My wife says that if someone tried it they would be arrested after (if) they came out of the hospital. The same applies to shoplifters and pickpockets, and before any bleeding heart liberal thinks I am exaggerating,I suggest they speak to a Romanian or go to Romania and try it.

- GJ, Southend Essex, 24/08/2011 13:01
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"...ban Romanians as they seem to go to places to sponge of everyone..."

- Paul, Enfield, 24/08/2011 12:17
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A bit unfair to tarnish an entire nationality based upon the actions of a few. I have some Romanian friends in the UK, and they work for a living and didn't arrive in the back of a lorry. One runs his own computer software firm. I've been over to Romania too, and it's a lovely country, and many hard working Romanians are fed up with the Gypsies there too.

@Eva - Romanians, contrary to popular belief, are entitled to take a holiday.

I really think a lot of you on here need to broaden your horizons. Most of the comments should come with "sponsored by the EDL" stamped on them. Yes, there are bad apples, like these squatters, but it's strange how quiet you all are when it's a bunch of English layabouts squatting in houses.

- Rupert Rigsby, Bleak House, 24/08/2011 12:57
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Just make any form of squatting a criminal offence. Any foreigner then convicted of squatting should be permanently deported from our country.

- Neil Simmonds, London, 24/08/2011 12:52
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Just make any form of squatting a criminal offence. Any foreigner then convicted of squatting should be permanently deported from our country.

- Neil Simmonds, London, 24/08/2011 12:51
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All the Romanians I know appear to be in the UK to work hard. Walk around central London and you will see them all with their heads down and focused on their jobs. Pickpocketing, stealing, hustling etc....

Soft touch Britain, everybody knows it.

- Fed Up Grafter, London, UK, 24/08/2011 12:51
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In short, if this happened to me, I wouldn't go to the Police or the Press.

I would get my friends and go to my house and 'persuade' them all to leave immediately without goods (as they have probably stolen yours).

What are they going to do ? claim you are squatting in your own home , claim you broke in ? With no English, they aren't going to talk to the Police.

If they don't sort out the law soon and make this a criminal matter then people will start taking the 'civil' law into their own hands.
TIP : Always ensure there is a copy or original of your 'proof of ownership' somewhere other than your house.

- Hansel, London, 24/08/2011 12:50
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They bought the property with no mortgage?

A mortgage company would require the actual deeds to a property, so I doubt this property is bought.

Or did they happen to have a spare £500k lurking around and therefore have no requirement for a mortgage.

Squatting NEEDS to be a criminal offence. Seems like anyone can produce a tenancy agreement these days and claim rights to a property. Ludicrous. I feel so sorry for Amelita and Lilia Olasa - what a homecoming!

- SMB, London, UK, 24/08/2011 12:49
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An anti-squatting law is being drawn up at the moment.

It is currently in the consultation phase and is expected to become part of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill being put forward to Parliament in October.

- Steve, London, 24/08/2011 12:47
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It reminds me of some camp sites in france and Holland where the Romanians would hire a mobile home at the end of a season.Driving away with the mobile home they would show the hire receipt to show they had bought it if caught.

- Terry, Hennebont France, 24/08/2011 12:40
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This abuse of our country and its easy hospitality has been going on for many years now, sustained and nourished by the fierce Liberalists. It is just becoming more obvious as the numbers grow. Based on continuing levels of newcomers, it has been extrapolated from the government's own figures that it will cost the tax payer some £1billion per annum for some 24 years at least to provide social housing for these. However, it seems that, in fact, most people are quite happy with this state of affairs given the results of subsequent general and local elections and the general insistence on both disregarding and socially and often economically isolating those who have dared mention the social and economic costs of unrestrained immigration.

- helen, norwich, 24/08/2011 12:37
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If they were in Roumania the owner would just shoot them we could not do that in the UK only the criminals are allowed to be armed

- saddelbags, tamworth, 24/08/2011 12:35
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Arrive in UK and declare what you are doing here, can't speak English go home, can't work go home, on the scrounge go home!

When will we ever learn for god sake? We are becoming a laughing stock and people only head here for one thing, to sponge off of our taxes!

I agree with Jim, ban Romanians as they seem to go to places to sponge of everyone, Polish people and other nations seem to want to graft for a living. Generalisations I know by some truth must be there if Spain have taken the action they have, but we have enough British people sponging without adding to the list!

As for the squating law this has to be changed now not in the near future as is planned. Maybe it could be arranged for squaters to frequent themselves in a high profile MP's property, I'm sure that would speed up the law change!

- Paul, Enfield, 24/08/2011 12:17
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Of course there is a network of eastern Europeans targeting London properties. Why wouldn't there be when English law regards squatting as a civil matter??
How many other countries (in the EU) do you think would tolerate this state of affairs?

- Anette, Aylesbury, England, 24/08/2011 12:07
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Enough is enough, this has been going on for to long.
The law must be changed,
you are scared to go away for a weekend or holiday in fear of squatters moving in.

- mrkmp, london, 24/08/2011 12:06
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Oh! The benefits of immigration! When will we ever learn.

- Alan, of Chigwell, 24/08/2011 11:50

As bad as squatting is have you've NEVER seen an indigenous English squatter before? As for "the benefits of immigration" well I don't know about Chigwell in Essex but whenever I go into London I see plenty of immigrants sweeping the streets,working in restaurants, cleaning hospital toilets, driving buses and tubes, stacking shelves and serving customers in supermarkets etc,etc,etc.

- Nigel, Beds, 24/08/2011 12:03
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Take over no 10 ,that guy is always on holiday.

- dave, london, 24/08/2011 12:02
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Gutless UK police again. They broke in. I know it. You know it. The police know it. So arrest them. Their bits of paper are not worth anything and are evidence of covering up breaking and entering.

- Gresham, Marbella, Spain, 24/08/2011 12:02
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This country needs a big dose of common sense... these vile selfish thieves should be kicked out and sent packing.... we have too many laws that protect law breakers and not enough to protect decent honest people.

- Dan, London, 24/08/2011 11:58
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I came back on the ferry two weeks ago after a day trip and there were 3 coaches on board with romanians heading to uk. Very untidy and most of the women had small children. Maybe they are spending a week enjoying a holiday at butlins, but somehow I doubt it.

- Eva - north london, London, 24/08/2011 11:55
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Oh! The benefits of immigration! When will we ever learn.

- Alan, of Chigwell, 24/08/2011 11:50
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Front door ajar without signs of a forced entry is odd as it looks like a plastic front door. All wooden doors should have a secondary 5 lever lock but a plastic one should have a lock that can be "double locked" if not get a replacement.

- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey, 24/08/2011 11:47
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SCUM, the joys of the united states of europe.

- old ben, Londonistan, 24/08/2011 11:45
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There is no lock or latch on the front door at 10, Downing Street, so therefore it is not secured and permanently open. Thus it is surely perfectly legal to walk in and squat. So why don't the Romanian squatters make their way to Whitehall, enter the property and take up residence> There is nothing that the policeman on the door can do if they are not committing a crime. I would just love to know what would happen if anyone tried this stunt. Perhaps if they did the government would move to stop this kind of squatting and have those who just walk into people's homes thrown into jail.

- Dave, Devon, UK, 24/08/2011 11:44
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They can't speak English, so cannot realistically do any meaningful work, so the taxpayer will be subsidising their existence in this country! Ludicrous. Why do we allow these ingrates to come in? All they do is take advantage.

- David, London, UK, 24/08/2011 11:42
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This is starting to get rather frightening and I presume the whole country is at risk - we can go on holiday and come back to these people living in our houses - they could have forced entry and then installed new locks - surely something radical needs to be done to prevent this???

- Caroline, London, 24/08/2011 11:41
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So anybody can walk through an unlocked door and squat. It is now surely time for vigilante law before we are laughed off the planet.

- Charly, London, 24/08/2011 11:39
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I think the UK needs to ban Romanian migrants just like Spain did the other week.

They offer no value and only cost us money. Sorry but in hard times, we put British people first.

Follow Spain's precedent and ban all migrants from Europe?

- Jim, London, 24/08/2011 11:39
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