Better enforcement needed for illegal gypsy sites
Better law enforcement and more official sites are needed to tackle the problems of illegal gypsy camps, housing minister Yvette Cooper said today.
Three quarters of Gypsy and traveller caravans are on official sites. But the shortage of sites has grown since the duty for local authorities to provide them was abolished in 1994.
There are now “far too many unauthorised sites which can cause real problems and stress for local communities”, Ms Cooper said.
To help local authorities enforce laws designed to address problems associated with illegal sites, the government has created a Gypsy and Traveller Unit. Local authorities are also now obliged to locate appropriate areas for travellers.
The government today set aside £8 million for local authorities to spend on building new traveller sites and refurbishing existing ones.
