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Police chiefs call for more Gypsy and Traveller camps
National Police Chiefs’ Council also rejected ministers’ plans for a clampdown on illegal sites
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.
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“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.
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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.
