Intrusion

PROPERTY INTRUSION

Property intrusion (also known as trespassing) occurs where a person or persons enter land illegally. It is categorised separately inorder to record incidents of trespassing where no other known offences are known to have been committed. Where an intrusion is accompanied by an attempted break-in, it should be recorded as an attempted break-in rather than a mere property intrusion.

Trespassing in South Africa is a statutory crime in terms of the Trespass Act (1959 (Act 6 of 1959) which provides that:

(1) Any person who without the permission-

(a) of the lawful occupier of any land or any building or part of a building; or

(b) of the owner or person in charge of any land or any building or part of a building that is not lawfully occupied by any person,

enters or is upon such land or enters or is in such building or part of a building, shall be guilty of an offence unless he has lawful reason to enter or be upon such land or enter or be in such building or part of a building.