WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has welcomed a Government commitment to give police new powers to tackle illegal traveller encampments which he says have been blighting Warrington for years.
Blaming Warrington Borough Council for adding to the problem by failing to establish a suitable travellers site in the town Mr Carter said: “I receive lots of correspondence about travellers setting up illegal encampments in various parts of Warrington South, so I’m pleased to see a commitment to give the police the powers they need to tackle these encampments swiftly and effectively.
“This new offence will enable the police to fine or arrest those residing without permission on private or public land in vehicles in order to stop significant disruption, distress or harm being caused to the law-abiding majority.
“Warrington Council’s failure to establish a suitable site for travellers doesn’t help the situation in Warrington but these measures should give reassurance that the Government are tackling this important issue.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced the government will strengthen police powers and create a new criminal offence to tackle unauthorised encampments.
The new offence will target trespassers who intend to reside on any private or public land in vehicles without permission, and where they are causing significant disruption, distress or harm to local communities.
Police will be given powers to seize vehicles and arrest offenders. The measures will target harmful encampments which reflect badly on the wider nomadic community as a whole, the majority of whom are law-abiding.
The measures deliver on a manifesto commitment to tackle unauthorised encampments and will be part of a new major criminal justice bill to be introduced to Parliament imminently.
Announcing the proposed new measures Priti Patel said: “This new offence will enable the police to fine or arrest those residing without permission on private or public land in vehicles in order to stop significant disruption, distress or harm being caused to the law-abiding majority.
“I am delivering on my commitment to give the police the powers they need to tackle these encampments swiftly and effectively.”
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