Crimestoppers supports Shelter Scotland to tackle illegal evictions

13 October 2014

Crimestoppers is supporting a new campaign by homelessness charity Shelter Scotland to raise awareness of the practice of illegal eviction by private landlords.

It is estimated that hundreds of illegal evictions are carried out each year in Scotland.

Cases involve eviction without following the correct legal processes, changing the locks, or threatening violence or intimidation.

Alarmingly, many landlords are unaware that their actions are a criminal offence or knowingly break the law in the belief that they won’t be caught.

But illegal eviction is a serious crime that will be dealt with by the police and can result in a heavy fine or even a prison sentence.

David Crawley, Chair of the Crimestoppers Scotland committee, joined Graeme Brown, from Shelter, and Chief Inspector Kenny Thomson, from Police Scotland, for the launch of ‘Illegal Eviction – Know Your Rights’ in Edinburgh today (October 13).

The campaign will visit several towns and cities across Scotland in a bid to raise awareness among landlords and tenants.

Angela Parker, National Manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “All private tenants are protected by the law and it is unacceptable that there are some cases where landlords are using illegal measures to remove people from their homes.

“We would urge anyone with information about this to contact us anonymously, safe in the knowledge that their identity will not be revealed. Our anonymous telephone line and online form is accessible 24 hours a day.”

If you have any information please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form.”