More powers needed to tackle illegal traveller camps, says MP
What people in Coventry have had to put up with this summer, as in previous years, is completely and utterly unacceptable
COUNCILS and police forces must be given greater powers to tackle illegal travellers camps, a Coventry MP insists.
Geoffrey Robinson wants the Government to change the law so that officers can move travellers to transit sites elsewhere and reduce the amount of time it takes to evict those breaking the law.
This summer saw several sites across the city become temporary home to travellers, including the War Memorial Park, Whitley Common, Coombe Country Park, Brandon Stadium and sites in Can- ley, Aldermans Green and Coundon.
And now Mr Robinson, Coventry North West MP, says enough is enough and has demanded tougher rules to protect private landowners from being repeat victims of unauthorised encampments and injunctions to cover larger areas rather than just specific sites. Speaking at a Parliamentary debate on travellers, he said: “What people in Coventry have had to put up with this summer, as in previous years, is completely and utterly unacceptable, and I want tougher and swifter action to deal with them, as well as measures that prevent travellers getting on to local parks and community facilities“I also in want the the first governmentplace. to look at the proposals of David Jamieson, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, who has done a huge amount of work on these issues.” It was revealed earlier this year that Coventry City Council had spent almost £50,000 in a single year dealing with illegal encampments in the city. The amount included costs to evict illegal camps, providing additional site protection and clearing up the encampments after travellers had left.