I must respond to Mr P Carter-Johnson (Letters January 14) and Ian Taylor (Letters, January 24).

The problem with travellers in Brighton and Hove means that we and 500 of our neighbours might just as well put our council tax in the fire and burn it.

The frustrating fact is that the police have the powers they need to deal with the matter instantly.

The whole purpose of the Public Order Criminal Justice Act 1994, sections 61-63, was to enable action to be taken instantly in order to avoid the need for land owners to commence costly civil court action.

Regardless of statute law, the common law breach of the peace, which a constable swears to uphold on being appointed, is described as the normal state of society. Any interruption of this is a breach of the peace.

Therefore, any trespasser who refuses to vacate private land on the demand of the lawful landowner is guilty of breach of the peace under common law.

By the same legal argument, squatting was already illegal long before MP Mike Weatherley’s highly commendable bill.

It is a myth that you have to break into property to commit burglary. Section 8 of the Theft Act states that you merely enter as a trespasser with intent or, having entered with intent, go on to commit the crimes of theft, damage or assault.

The police make the lame excuse that they cannot prove intent. They don’t have to. They can arrest on suspicion that a crime has been committed.

Ask yourselves a question: Back in 1982, when one Michael Fagan was found in the Queen’s bedroom, did the police say, “Sorry your Majesty, there is no evidence of a break-in. You will have to take your own civil court action” or did they take immediate action to protect her and her property?

Does anybody really believe ordinary members of the public are not entitled to the same levels of protection?

Stuart Bower, Hallyburton Road, Hove