In April 2018, as Housing Minister, I launched a consultation looking at how the government could do more to help local councils and the police combat illegal traveller encampments. The Government has now published its detailed plans to give the police new powers to disperse unauthorised encampments, and support local councils in using their existing powers.
As someone who lives in the constituency, I appreciate that illegal encampments, and the related littering and anti-social behaviour they can sometimes bring, are a real concern for residents. Last summer, the Conservative-run Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) acted quickly to secure a High Court injunction making it easier for them to remove encampments. For my part, I have been pushing for reform in Parliament.
The Government’s proposals will change the law to permit the police to move trespassers on to suitable authorised sites in neighbouring local authorities, quadruple the period of time in which trespassers moved on from land would be unable to return, lower the threshold of caravans or vehicles required before police powers can be exercised from 6 to 2, and empower the police to move illegal encampments on from roundabouts or verges. The Home Office will also review how to make trespass a criminal offence, as has been done successfully in Ireland.
I also met with Tim Oliver, the new Leader of Surrey County Council, who briefed me on the action EBC is taking to identify locations for a designated transit site in the Borough. This would make it easier for police to move on illegal encampments.
Taken together, these measures will reinforce the police and local authorities’ ability to remove illegal encampments, and to prevent their return.
