Police chiefs call for more Gypsy and Traveller camps

National Police Chiefs’ Council also
rejected ministers’ plans for a clampdown on illegal sites

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The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and the
National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) say there is an “urgent need
to significantly increase” the number of encampments in order to
reduce illegal sites.

A joint statement by the two organisations said: “The police are
not in the business of providing accommodation, but this is such a
crucial issue for the Gypsy and Traveller community that
encouraging its provision has become part of the NPCC focus.

“Not just new council sites are required. A variety of transit
and permanent developments are needed, run either by councils or
privately, or indeed housing for those who wish to be housed.”

Police bosses also “rejected calls for a change in the law to
give them tougher powers to target travellers who camp illegally”,
reports the Daily Mail.

In April, Housing Minister Dominic Raab launched a consultation with police about
how to tackle unauthorised encampments. Daab said he was “deeply
troubled” by allegations about the behaviour of some Travellers and
“particularly by the widespread perception that the rule of law
does not apply to those who choose a nomadic lifestyle”.

Ministers are now considering a new offence that would extend
the scope of aggravated trespass.

But the NPCC and APCC insist criminalisation of Travellers
is not the answer, The Sun says. 

Janette McCormick, national police spokesperson on Gypsy, Roma
and Traveller issues, said that creating more camps
would free up police resources and reduce the cost to
councils of cleaning up illegal sites.