No one is saying all squatters are perfect, but neither are tenants. This is one of the responses from the Advisory Service for Squatters (A.S.S) following recent headlines criticising local councils who are referring homeless people to its Squatters’ Handbook.

Reports claim the handbook, which is now in its 12th edition and has been in print since 1974, allegedly gives advice on how to ‘trick’ your way into properties.

Eric Pickles, Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar, was quoted in the Telegraph as saying: “Homeowners will be horrified that town halls are giving squatters the green light to break into law-abiding citizens’ homes.

“Promoting such lawlessness is breathtaking, but is sadly an indictment of social breakdown that has become rife under Labour and the prevalence of 'human rights' laws. This revelation coupled with fact violent crime is doubling blows apart Labour's claim to be the party of law and order.”

But the A.S.S replies:
1. Squatters only occupy empty properties. In those cases where a mistake is made and there is an occupier, the squatters can be quickly removed by legal mechanisms.

2. Squatting mostly happens in housing that’s been left to rot, whether by councils or private owners. The combination of the number of empty properties and the difficulty of getting housed makes squatting very attractive.

3. It is often the case that empty buildings are left open or are broken into and used by local kids or drug users etc; as such, squatters make repairs to buildings and bring them into use, thus contributing to local communities.

4. A.S.S does not promote lawlessness, as squatting is still legal. We help disadvantaged people to find housing, to help themselves when no-one else will. We often recommend that people who are eligible for Priority Need Housing apply to their local Council.

5. Human Rights laws are generally unavailable to squatters as a defence.

6. The real issue is the difficulty of getting housed, due to profiteering through privatisation and gentrification, which leads to unaffordable rents and the need to take personal action.

7. Councils sign post A.S.S on their websites because we offer free advice to homeless people and those with housing problems.

8. Advisory Service for Squatters is an organisation run by unpaid volunteers and has never received any government funding. It is kept afloat by donations, and by benefits organised by squatters and activists.

8. No one is saying all squatters are perfect, but neither are tenants or even homeowners.