Petition on Government website calling for looters to be evicted from council houses

Petition on Government website calling for looters to be evicted from council houses receives 83,000 signatures in 24 hours
Website crashed after massive demand
Those convicted will lose their benefit entitlement
Manchester council vows to boot out looters

By Daily Mail Reporter


Tens of thousands of people have called for convicted rioters and looters to lose their benefits saying they show a disregard for the country that provides for them.

An online petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk demands welfare-dependent rioters convicted of offences linked to the recent disorder should surrender their state handouts.

More than 83,000 people have signed the e-petition so far but it has proved so popular the government site hosting it has crashed under the strain.

Meanwhile, Manchester and Salford councils have promised to take the action against looters, including evicting them from council properties.

The moves are a response to the huge public demand to bring the rioters to justice.

The epetition started by Stephen Mains yesterday it states: 'Any persons convicted of criminal acts during the current London riots should have all financial benefits removed.

'No tax payer should have to contribute to those who have destroyed property, stolen from their community and shown a disregard for the country that provides for them.'

If 100,000 people sign the petition, it would trigger a process that could end with MPs voting on the plan.

All petitions hitting the landmark total are referred to the backbench business committee, which decides certain motions for Parliamentary debates.

A notice posted on the page said: 'Sorry if you're experiencing problems accessing e-petitions. There is currently a much higher level of demand than we expected.'

Other popular petitions argue for the price of petrol to be cut and against restoring the death penalty.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: 'Any benefit recipient who is convicted of an offence and is imprisoned, will lose their benefit entitlement.'

Further action could be taken against looters across the country as the public backlash begins against the mob.In Manchester, housing associations have now been requested to stop the tenancies of anyone found with stolen goods looted from businesses on Tuesday night when riots hitthe city.

Cllr Paul Andrews, Manchester's neighbourhoods boss, said: 'The violence and criminality carried out in Manchester city centre was some of the worst that has ever been seen in the city.

'Manchester residents have already shown that they are prepared to stand up for the city they're proud of and they won't let the thugs win.
'Now, the city council, along with our housing association partners, is sending a message to the looters.

'If you are a tenant of any of our properties, and you or your children are found to be involved in the looting, we will use whatever powers are available to us to make sure you are thrown out.

'Most people who live in our properties respect their neighbours ad play by the rules.

'Those who do not, and who are found to be involved in this sickening criminal activity, could find their tenancies at risk.'

And Salford officials said they plan to follow suit. Council leader John Merry said their housing provider Salix Homes was reviewing CCTV images to see if it can identify any of the thugs.

He said: 'Anyone who can do this to their own city is not welcome in Salford.'