PRESSURES on police could prevent officers from moving trespassing travellers on, according to the crime commissioner.
Roger Hirst, the county’s police, fire and crime commissioner, said he supports more powers to move unauthorised encampments but claimed police would struggle to take on extra responsibility. Basildon Council and a number of south Essex MPs have backed calls for extra powers for officers, both council and police, to move on those on illegal sites.
The debate continued on the same day as travellers arrived in Newlands Road, Wickford, yesterday morning. It has been suggested the UK introduces what is known as the Irish Option where unauthorised sites can be moved on without the need for a series of circumstances including criminal entry being fulfilled.
Mr Hirst said: “I believe additional power would be beneficial. It would simplify the eviction and subsequent prosecution process and increase public confidence because a simple process would give greater public reassurance.
“However, it does need to be recognised that criminalising trespass will have implications on the police resources that would be required to respond.
“The current powers are sufficient but they are perhaps not as efficient and effective as I would like.”
Basildon Council says current laws are too complicated and not consistently applied and endorses further work around the “Irish Option”.
It is calling for simplified laws and increased powers including extending powers exclusively held by police to local authorities. Since April 2016, the borough has had 138 unauthorised encampments and in November 2017, the High Court issued an injunction to help prevent incursions at various industrial and park areas within the borough.
Leader Andrew Baggott said: “Unauthorised encampments are a blight on the settled and the majority of law-abiding members of our Gypsy and Traveller community. The taxpayer is often left footing a hefty bill for clearing up the mess that is left behind.” Following the latest arrivals
Peter Holliman, councillor for Wickford North, urged the council to serve a direction to leave as soon as possible.
He also expressed his support for the Irish Option. Between April 2017 and March 2019 the council spent £400,000 cleaning up after illegal encampments.
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