Squatting will become a criminal offence tomorrow when the new laws of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment Offenders Act come into effect.

Under the new laws squatters face a prison sentence of up to six months and a £5,000 fine for entering someone's home.

Julia High, whose house was occupied by Romanian gyspies, says that she does not think that the new laws will change anything.

"If you think that squatting is acceptable behaviour, then being branded a criminal is probably not going to make much difference to you," she said.

• 'Police must move in and arrest squatters'

  31 Aug 2012

• Squatting rises as eurozone crisis drives migrants into London

  08 Jun 2012

• Second home owners targeted by squatters

  10 Aug 2012

• Squatters move into one of Britain's most exclusive private estates

  27 May 2011