Basildon Council wants greater powers to move on travellers and for trespass to become a criminal offence after 138 illegal encampments in two years.

The council is pushing for what is commonly called the Irish option where greater powers exist for officers to move them on.

Of the 138 encampments only 11 groups were told to vacate immediately by police using section 61 powers.

The powers, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, allow police officers to move travellers on if they have caused damage, used abusive or threatening behaviour and have six or more vehicles.

The hope is these powers could be extended to council officers and police powers could be extended to arrests.

A statement from the council reads: “Whilst Basildon Council has indicated its support for the so-called Irish option in principle, it recognises the circumstances in the Republic of Ireland might differ to those of the UK.

“Their appears to be merit in extending the provisions of section 61 to allow local authorities to utilise this power.

“Amending the criteria for which section 61 can be applied would also be of benefit, allowing a notice to be served immediately on site without reliance on the police and perhaps also a general power for it to be used on unauthorised encampments where there is likely interference with the use of public or private amenities, or where its continuing presence is prejudicial to health or a nuisance.”

The change would need to be amended in law and for trespass to become a criminal, rather than civil, offence would result in major changes to several areas of law.

The council costs incurred as a result of encampments rose from £247,855 in 2016 to £399,712 in 2017/2018.

This sum was made up by legal fees and cleaning up waste, including human waste, asbestos and other hazardous material.

Basildon Council has seen several significant illegal traveller encampments that have cost taxpayers thousands. In 2017 the encampment on St Nicholas Lane resulted in 40 tonnes of domestic waste being left on public land.

Specialist cleaners had to be sent in to land at Pipps Hill, Cranes and Burnt Mills industrial estates due to the “significant risk posed to public health due to the quantity and type of waste left behind.”