Squatters

Born and bred posted on the 24/08/2017 8:19:14 PM

We have squatters sleeping sporadically in the stairwell of our building. This has been reported several times to our factor and police over the past few months but no action has been taken as yet.

After reading about this also happening in another block in the same complex it created a very heated discussion with some residents thinking it was insensitive to call the police! Belongings are being left weekly including bottles of urine and used nappies and they are often gaining entry by breaking the door lock.

Is this happening anywhere else in dennistoun?



#1 - anon replied on the 24/08/2017 9:35:24 PM

I don't know if it's happening anywhere else in Dennistoun and I can imagine how unpleasant it is when it's happening right next to you. I can also understand the reluctance of some residents to call the police---especially when there's evidence that a baby is involved. Are the bottles of urine evidence that there is some care being taken too? Whoever it is isn't peeing in the corner of the close. I would call these people homeless rather than squatters and the surprise is that it isn't happening more often given the non-welfare state of the welfare state. If there's someone you can call rather than the police to help these people I'd be inclined to do that. Maybe, there's some charity that could help rehouse them. I'm assuming social security isn't an option. Good luck with this.I can't blame you for calling the police if all else fails.


#2 - Alan replied on the 24/08/2017 9:53:56 PM

If there's a baby involved the first thing I would do is call the police to get the baby in to proper care!!!


#3 - Born and bred replied on the 24/08/2017 10:27:02 PM

I think other residents have contacted homelessness charities. No babies or children have ever been seen, only adults going through the bins and coming out of broken into stores. The other building sounds much worse and being used as a urinal but I don't think has any personal belongings.

I'm not sure how much anyone can do as they are not seen often but the damage and mess is constant.//


#4 - anon replied on the 25/08/2017 4:12:23 AM

they are not "squatters" squatters break into empty properties and live there, you cant really squat in a close.
they seem to be classed as homeless people and although you have a lot of pity for them it cant be easy having someone camp outside your front door - especially if your a lone women.
I would personally ask the people to leave the close and I would phone the police every 15 minutes until they take action and send an officer out to deal with the matter


#5 - Concerned replied on the 25/08/2017 10:08:01 AM

Is it that woman back again from a few years back? She acted like the whole outside of the flats was her own. Get rid of her quick smart or she'll bring her pals with her.


#6 - Born and bred replied on the 25/08/2017 10:10:20 AM

They break into the close in the dead of night and must leave very early so they've rarely been seen inside the building but the smell, damage and rubbish is there so you know when they've been.

It is quite frightening coming home alone not knowing if someonie is under the stairs. Other residents suggested bringing a man that was seen coming out of a broken into store food and water and implied it was wrong to call the police. I'd be much more sympathetic if these people didn't damage doors to gain entry and cleaned up after themselves.


#7 - Malarki replied on the 25/08/2017 9:37:07 PM

I worked with rough sleepers for many years (as already pointed out the people described are not 'squatters' and in any case if they were then that is a criminal offence in Scotland and has been for many years). The chances are that these are vulnerable persons who find it difficult to maintain a tenancy and the responsibilities that go with claiming means-tested benefits, without intensive support. As such, while the council may have statutory duties to them and they may have entitlement to benefits, if they don't engage then it is very difficult to help them - the general approach of the type of agencies I've worked for is that it is counter productive to try and make someone do something that they don't want to as without their willing participation it will ultimately be a waste of time. The best you can do is offer people options and if they want to take advantage of them then all well and good.

However, one thing I learned through that work is that you need to have clear boundaries and it does no one any good to turn a blind eye. As such, if a crime is being committed then it should be reported to those who deal with crime ASAP - ie to the police. In my experienced well intentioned do-gooders who preach tolerance in these circumstances end up making a bigger mess of things which does no one any good and least of those who they think they're helping (when in reality it is their own egos and guilt that they're trying to help). You should not have to put up with someone damaging your property and making you feel uncomfortable in your own home and those responsible for dealing with these issues should be made to fulfil their statutory duties - if they're not then complain and use channels such as local councillors and politicians to take up your case, that being their job.

If you do want to help, the best is to get advice and try and get the agencies who specialise in this field involved - try GHN (www.ghn.org.uk/) or Shelter Scotland (scotland.shelter.org.uk/). It may be that they can put you in touch with or make referrals to outreach teams who can try and engage with the persons rough sleeping in your close.


#8 - Concerned replied on the 3/09/2017 9:24:00 PM

I've got nothing against rough sleepers, but they tell there pals and they tell there pals and then you've got a close full of rough sleepers.


#9 - anon replied on the 3/09/2017 10:01:16 PM

I take it you have one of those close doors with the magnetic locks, everyone knows that you can break the magnetic contact with one good kick.
I have an old fashioned yale lock (the ones with a key) and a few good neighbours, you cant break a yale lock as easy, me and my neighbours chase off people when we hear the intercom door getting booted - no-one has managed to break in yet


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