Get bailiffs in to evict travellers, say Tories
BAILIFFS should be hired to evict travellers from an illegal encampment in Huddersfield, say Tories.
It follows a series of anti-social incidents including a man being threatened when he asked a member of the traveller group to reduce late-night noise. He was told: “You’ve just signed your own death warrant.”
On Tuesday night a large traveller group with more than a dozen vehicles arrived at Briestfield Road in Grange Moor and removed a fence to enter playing fields.
Following com- plaints of noise, antisocial acts such as people defecating on open land, and intimidatory behaviour Kirklees Council has been urged to act.
The Labour-led authority says evicting travellers from illegal camps is a matter for the courts. However Conservatives have called for them to be evicted by High Court Enforcement Officers – bailiffs – using reasonable force.
Senior Labour councillor Graham Turner said Kirklees was looking into alternatives to the normal legal process.
One resident of Grange Moor said they became aware of travellers late on Tuesday night.
“I heard a dog yapping, which was unusual because this is a very quiet area Then there were loud voices. I looked out and saw a lot of caravans and vehicles.
“That was about 11.30pm. They were very noisy as they were setting up camp. It was 1.30am before I was able to get to sleep.
“The following night I heard a noise and saw people walking on private land near local homes with torches. What they were up to, I don’t know. They shouldn’t be on there.
“Kids are swearing all the time. They have been riding a motorbike around. A neighbour asked them to be quiet because his children were asleep and one of them told him, ‘You’ve just signed your own death warrant.’” The issue of travellers was raised at a meeting of the council’s decision-making Cabinet on Tuesday (June 16) by Clr Michael Watson (Con, Denby Dale), who said travellers had been causing a nuisance in Skelmanthorpe.
When it was suggested that the matter should be referred to the courts,
If the travellers are making threats to local people then they need
to be investigated.
which have “a huge backlog”, Clr Watson responded: “Could I ask whether the council has considered using the common law remedy of self-help and, if not, would the council please do so?
“It would enable the council to arrange for them to be physically removed.”
He was supported by party colleague Clr Richard Smith, who said the council’s lack of action was “making a mockery” of the law.
He said: “If the travellers are making threats to local people then they need to be investigated for it. That’s a matter for the police.
“I am willing to take it up with the police on their behalf.”
Clr Turner said: “I’d like to reassure people that we are working hard to resolve these issues and to get each site cleared as soon as possible.
“We are completing welfare visits to each site and have notified police.”