Gypsy and traveller sites

Can the council deal with unauthorised traveller encampments?

If travellers have gained unauthorised access to council land, officers will liaise with bailiffs and the Police to have the travellers moved from the site.

If there is an unauthorised traveller encampment on private land, the council will be happy to provide advise to the land owner. 

Gypsies and travellers are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language or values.

The aim of this information is to set out how the council and other official agencies will work to try to balance the rights of all those involved.

Why do gypsies and/or travellers pursue a travelling lifestyle?

Their way of life means that they travel the country staying for various periods of time in different locations, in order to earn a living. This has been their way of life for many generations.

Does the council have a duty to move gypsies and/or travellers when they are camped without the landowner's permission?

No. If gypsies and/or travellers are camped on council land, the council can evict them.

If they are on private land, it is usually the landowner's responsibility. The Government has advised that when gypsies and/or travellers are not causing a problem, the site may be tolerated.

If gypsies and/or travellers camp on private land, what can the landowner do?

• talk to them to see if a leaving date can be agreed.
• take proceedings in the County Court under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 to obtain a Court Order for their eviction. There must be a minimum of two clear days between service of documents and the Court hearing.

What if the landowner decides to let them stay on the land temporarily?

Unless the landowner has already obtained planning permission for a caravan site or is a farmer and the gypsies and/or travellers are helping with fruit picking etc., then the landowner could be in breach of the Planning Acts and the acts dealing with the licensing of caravan sites. You may wish to seek further advice from the Council's Environmental Health section, which deals with illegal encampments.

If the landowner fails to take the appropriate action to remove the gypsies and/or travellers, what will the council do?

If the landowner is in breach of any planning or license requirements, then the council will take proceedings against the landowner to require removal of the illegal encampment.

I have seen gypsies and/or travellers camping on the side of the road and sometimes on parks or other council-owned land, what can the council do in these cases?

If the gypsies and/or travellers are causing problems they will be moved on as soon as is possible and reasonable. The council will consider each case on its merits. In all cases the site is visited and every effort made to make sure that the gypsies and/or travellers keep the site tidy and do not cause public health problems. This sometimes means that refuse collection facilities may be provided for this purpose.

Can the council remove gypsies and/or travellers from their land immediately?

No, the council must:

• show that the gypsies and/or travellers are on the land without consent;
• make enquiries regarding the general health, welfare and children's education;
• ensure that the Human Rights Acts 1998 has been fully complied with;
• follow a set procedure in terms of proving ownership of land and details of the illegal encampment that will enable them to successfully obtain the necessary authority from the Courts to order the gypsies and/or travellers to leave the site.

How long will it take for the gypsies and/or travellers to be removed?

This will depend upon the circumstances of each individual case. The council will need to take account of the issues outlined above as well as how soon they can obtain a Court hearing date.

Can the court refuse to grant the council an order to move gypsies and/or travellers on?

Yes. If there is an unavoidable reason for the gypsies and/or travellers to stay on the site, or if the Court believes that the council have failed to make adequate enquiries regarding the general health and welfare of the gypsies and/or travellers. The council must try to find out this information before going to Court.

What can the Police do?

The Police will visit all sites reported to them. In certain circumstances (for example, where the gypsies and/or travellers have with them six or more vehicles), officers may use powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. These powers will only be used in situations of serious criminality or public disorder not capable of being addressed by normal criminal legislation and in which the trespassory occupation of the land is a relevant factor.

The Police are bound by the Human Rights Act and may be constrained to avoid using section 61 in circumstances where it would preclude welfare considerations from being applied by the civil courts.

The duty of the Police is to preserve the peace and prevent crime. Trespass on land by itself is not a criminal offence. Prevention of Trespass and the removal of trespassers are the responsibilities of the landowner and not the Police. The Police will investigate all criminal and Public Order offences.

Parks and Amenities
Stevenage Borough Council
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 1HN

Email: parksandamenities@stevenage.gov.uk
Telephone: 01438 242323
Fax: 01438 242434