Gypsies and Travellers and Local Communities

Part of Government Policy on the Proceedings of the House – in the House of Commons at 6:29 pm on 9 October 2017.

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Photo of Alok Sharma Alok Sharma Minister of State (Communities and Local Government) 6:29, 9 October 2017

The law is very clear on criminal damage, but I want to talk about the powers the police have and what additional powers they have if there are transit sites or permanent sites available in the local area.

Let me set out the powers for local authorities in dealing with illegal encampments. First, it is important to put the number of illegal encampments in context. The January 2017 Traveller caravan count indicated that 13% of encampments were illegal, and about a third of those were on land not owned by travellers, yet no matter what the figures say, I know that illegal encampments often cause strife. We have already heard that in this debate.