WALTHAMSTOW MP Stella Creasy has said that it is a criminal offence to invade a home while residents are away on holiday - following police claims that recent “squatting” cases were civil matters.

Her comments come after the Guardian reported how 38-year-old Peter Grainger had his house in Mayfield Road, Walthamstow, broken into and occupied while he was on holiday in the USA last week.

And just weeks before 55-year-old Julia High, of Ashvill Road in Leytonstone, had her home invaded and taken over while she was away visiting her parents. She has been living in a hotel ever since.

Waltham Forest Police said in both cases they had "no jurisdiction" to act because squatting is a civil offence, even following allegations of forced entry.

This is despite both homes being secured before the squatters entered.

Ms Creasy wrote in her weekly newsletter: "current legislation explicitly states it is a criminal offence (under section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1977) for any person who is on residential premises as a trespasser after having entered as such to fail to leave those premises on being required to do so by or on behalf of 'a displaced residential occupier' or 'a protected intending occupier' of the premises."

Ms High was displaced but Mr Grainger was not, as he lives in another property in Walthamstow and had no immediate plans to move in.

He said neighbours telephoned police when they spotted the squatters entering the property.

A Met spokesman said they had no record of a 999 call but he did not answer why the allegation of forced entry was not being investigated.

Ms Creasy denied her comments contradicted the police's position, adding Mr Grainger's case was “more complex” than appeared.

She said she could not comment on cases in Leytonstone.

The Labour backbencher said she was unable to go into details on individual cases for privacy reasons.

She added she had not been made aware of other similar incidents in Walthamstow but was working with police on the issue.

She said: "The law is very clear that if someone breaks into a residential property that is a criminal offence."

Meanwhile Mr Grainger is still in the process of obtaining legal authority to evict the group, who are thought to include several women and children.

Ms High has secured the eviction of those living in her home, but said she cannot move back in yet because of the damage they caused.

The Guardian is awaiting a response from Waltham Forest Police as to why officers are not investigating under the Criminal Law Act.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Chingford Guardian on Twitter