Tag Archives: s144 LASPOA

SQUASH NewsRound 2016-2017

SQUASH NewsRound 2016-17 contains information on:

  • Update on LASPO 2012
  • Actions: Camesquat, Open House (Oxford), ANAL
  • SQUASH called ‘militant group’ by right-wing MSM
  • 14th edn of Squatters Handbook released
  • DIY Press – SLAP, Nervemeter, Trespass, SqEK, etc
  • Audio Interviews – Interference Archive, Dissident Island

PRESS RELEASE – Squatting Stats 2015: rising homelessness linked to criminalisation of squatting

The latest report, “Squatting Statistics 2015: The link between rising homelessness and the criminalisation of squatting” (May 2016), from Squatters Action for Secure Homes (SQUASH), in partnership with Streets Kitchen, found that 148 people were arrested under section 144 in 2015, bringing the total number of people arrested for the offence to at least 736 since 2012. The criminalisation of squatting in residential properties in England and Wales, through section 144 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (2011), is leading to the arrest of young homeless people in the hundreds, rising street homelessness and is pushing up residential property prices.

“Homes, Not Jails” – SQUASH’s latest report

Squatting in England and Wales has become increasingly more difficult, unstable and uncertain over the last two and a half years, due in so small part to section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (s144 LASPOA) which came into force in September 2012. The new law criminalised squatting in empty residential premises, and made what was a civil matter into a criminal offence, meaning that the police and magistrates were now involved. Two years on, SQUASH has released its latest report “Homes, Not Jails” (April 2015), a 28-month review of the effects of s144 LASPOA using freedom of information data and case studies.