Talking about that, howz about this...you can't even defend yourself or your family in this country any more

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8451369.stm

Leaving a house empty over a Christmas period is not a sufficient period of time for squatters' to be able to assert any rights. The police have no idea what they are talking about, one cannot be convicted of criminal damage to one's own property (it is possible, but not in these circumstances). The squatters' have committed burglary (entered and committed criminal damage) so they should have been arrested.

Me thinks there is more to this than has been reported.

What a bunch of bullsh*t!!
Property rights are (and should be) the fundamental right in any society. "It's my house. I will choose to do what I like and when I like to it. As long as I fulfill my obligations by not injuring anyone or impinging on their rights, then what's the problem?"

Property rights are only there because the state is there to protect them for you - remove the police and you've got nothing. In UK law squatters also have rights that are enforced by the state. You may think this is wrong, but tough shit - it's the law and clearly not a bunch of bullshit.

Stop being such a reactionary arse - as ac says there is more to this than meets the eye as it's not actually very easy to claim squatters rights.

Me and the missus once squatted for a whole summer in a coal bunker.

True story.

I AM a 'reactionary arse'...and proud of it! (and a libertarian to boot - property rights stem from natural law and are not granted by the omnipotent State)

I have noticed that the Daily Express is just as bad as the Daily Hate Mail.

Squatting is covered by Civil law, police enforce criminal law, therefore they are powerless.

Example: In the UK you could eat a full meal in a restuarant and decide the meal was awful and not worth the 30 GBP and give them 10 GBP. They may call the police (if they threaten or assault you then you call the police) and you could inform the policeman it is a civil matter and he couldnt do anything about it. The restuaranteur would have to go to court to extract the 20GBP from you. Fact

oh god, another authoritarian who thinks they are libertarian. natural law? wtf is that? does it allow me to come and shoot you and take all your stuff?

The house was empty as it was being renovated from top to bottom. The squatters have now moved out.

I don't see anything wrong with that. If you pay for a service which doesn't match what you expected then this is one of the best ways of dealing with it. How many people have been in disputes with builders or contractors? You wouldn't expect a builder to call the cops if you said I'm withholding 20% cos I'm not happy.

You should have tried Syrup of Figs.

Allow yourself to be enlightened:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_law

Not unless I get to my gun first!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Up,_Two_Down

haha - I knew you where going to link to that and I was waiting for it. I know what it is it's and it's still a bunch of laws enforced by the state.

I think I understand though. You are 'libertarian' in the rush limbaugh american neo-con sense. Nice.