It follows legislation introduced on 1 September, which has made it a criminal offence to squat in residential properties.
David Marsden, partner at law firm Charles Russell, said that he has seen a 100% rise in squatting in commercial properties since the new legislation came in. He added that pubs are a prime target for squatters.
He said: “I’ve seen a 100% rise in commercial building squatting since 1 October. A prime target is a building that would have some living accommodation, such as a pub. With the current retail market, pubs are being left empty so they are an ideal target for squatters.
“I have seen a rise in squatting in pubs.”
Marsden advised installing CCTV around the building. “Squatters have to get in somehow, and a classic way is through a broken window,” he said. “If you can prove that they broke the window, then it is criminal damage and the police will get involved.”
Property agent Jamie Eastaugh, head of commercial division at Cluttons, has also heard of a rise in squatters targeting pubs.
“Anecdotally, there does seem to be an increase in squatters in commercial properties since the law came in,” he said.
“We have been contacted by security firms, so they have got it on their radar to make sure that vacant properties are secure.
“More pubs seem to be targeted, particularly those in urban areas. Pubs are regarded as a local amenity, so when one closes it is instantly going to be known as being vacant, the news gets out quickly. They are also designed to be lived in.
“The change in the law has created additional risk that needs to be assessed. There has always been a risk in metal strip-outs, now there is the added problem (of squatting). Squatting is not new for commercial premises, it has just been highlighted more since the new law came in.”