Examination of Witnesses

Part of Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 3:26 pm on 18 May 2021.

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Photo of Siobhan Baillie Siobhan Baillie Conservative, Stroud 3:26, 18 May 2021

On unauthorised encampments, I am sure all the MPs in the room receive a mixed bag of correspondence on this issue.Q

I am very interested in this issue and there are two parts to my question. First, do you think that the existing powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 are sufficient to address the issues that arise from unauthorised encampments for communities that are affected? If not, do you think that this Bill goes some way to fill any gaps that have been identified and raised by a number of different groups?

Separately, regarding local authorities, I think it is little-known that local authorities are actually required to find space for Travellers’ sites, transit sites and authorised encampments. Do you have examples of local authority areas that are doing that alongside communities and the police, and it is working well? And what more can local authorities do?