Advice for residents on unauthorised encampments

A new leaflet giving residents advice on unauthorised encampments has been launched by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The council receives many calls each month from residents concerned about unauthorised encampments in their areas, so has produced a handy leaflet which gives advice on what can and can’t be done and who to report any issues to.

Travellers and gypsies have certain rights and have to be treated fairly. They are classed as an ethnic minority. Because of this, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has to carry out checks in order to remove anyone camped illegally:

- If you become aware of a potentially unauthorised encampment please contact the council on 01256 844844. If there is believed to be associated anti–social behaviour or criminal damage contact the police on 101 or 0845 0454545.
- Ownership of the land then needs to be identified. The council will do this.
- If the land is borough council owned, the council will request a welfare check from Hampshire County Council. This process is to ensure there are no welfare needs prior to the legal process being carried out.
- If there are no welfare needs identified, the council’s legal team will write to the travellers requesting they leave, by a specified date, as they are camped illegally.
- If the travellers do not leave by this date, the council will apply for a Court Order giving the powers to evict.
- Once the land has been vacated, the council will then clean the site as quickly as possible and take any action possible, where the land is not privately owned, to ensure there is no recurrence.

Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Development and Transport Cllr Clive Sanders said: “The council has a responsibility for the welfare of all residents. I appreciate that anyone camped illegally has the potential to be disruptive and a worry for residents. It is important for everyone to understand that travellers have rights which must be respected. We have to follow appropriate measures to move them on.

“Anyone thinking of damaging vehicles or property belonging to travellers must realise that this is a criminal activity which could be treated as a hate crime. Therefore, the consequences of such action will be treated much more seriously than simple vandalism.

“If residents work together with the council we can ensure that anyone who does choose to camp illegally and causes problems, leaves the site as quickly and peaceably as possible.”

Leaflets outlining the procedures for dealing with these situations will be distributed to residents living near any unauthorised encampment. They are also available via the council’s website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/encampments or by calling 01256 844844.

For information about the unauthorised encampments the council knows about, log onto www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/encampments or contact your local ward councillor.