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Gypsies and travellers
It is the landowner's responsibility to remove trespassers either through the courts or by exercising a landlord's Common Law rights on trespass. Landowners are recommended to seek professional advice before taking any action. In certain circumstances, the Council may be able to help local landowners with the eviction of Travellers. For more information contact the Traveller Liaison Officer in Environmental Health 01784 446436.

If travellers are on Council land we will take appropriate action as a landowner. We do have to take into account government guidance to local authorities requiring us to consider tolerating their presence for short periods and also to enquire whether there are any medical, social or educational reasons why the Council should not move them on.

The Police have powers under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to serve a Direction to Move On if the Travellers have six or more caravans. The Police will usually require evidence of an increase in criminality associated with the presence of the Travellers, before exercising their powers.

Procedure for removal of unauthorised encampments (Pdf 65kb)

Traveller sites