A petition has been launched to prevent changes to housing policy that would affect domestic violence victims.

In a consultation by Barnet Borough Council on changes to the way housing is allocated, one proposal would require people at immediate risk of violence to register as homeless before being rehoused.

This would remove their priority status on the housing waiting list.

Coppetts ward Labour Councillor Reema Patel has launched a petition to prevent this change from taking place.

The petition also calls for victims of domestic violence to be able to retain the terms of any tenancy agreement they have if they have to leave their home because of violence.

Cllr Patel said: “Forcing the victims of domestic violence to make themselves homeless and stripping them of their tenancy and right to be considered a priority for permanent housing is a cruel policy that needs to be stopped.

"The council should withdraw these proposals and undertake a proper impact assessment to make sure the new allocations proposals properly accommodate survivors of domestic violence."

A council spokesman said: “The thinking behind this was that we want to get people at risk of violence into a safe place as soon as possible and that presenting as homeless is the quickest way to do this. We’ve found that putting someone into band one encourages them to stay where they are assuming that new accommodation is imminent. That isn’t always the case.

“But all of these proposals are out to consultation and we will take public comments on board when developing the final policy."

Sarah Sackman, Labour parliamentary candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “When I saw the policy I was quite taken aback. I would like the leader of the council to explain why they are doing this, and would call on the council to withdraw the proposal.

“It doesn’t make any sense. There’s a pressure on social housing allocation, but it’s a step backwards.

“If other local authorities follow suit it would have a devastating effect.”