1 Report an encampment
Contact us if an unauthorised Gypsy or Traveller encampment is set up on public land or a highway without permission.
- Check if the encampment has already been reported to us.
- Complete our online form
- Phone: 01243 642139
2 Already reported encampments
There are currently no unauthorised encampments on public or highway land that the county council is aware of.
Last updated: 20 September 2024
3 What happens after you report
Once we receive a report we will visit a site to check:
- its tidiness
- how much it's disrupting local residents and businesses
- whether it's obstructing highways or public rights of way
- if there are any welfare or humanitarian issues.
We will tolerate an encampment for a short time if the campers are behaving, the site is tidy and other circumstances allow.
We are likely to evict if the camp is causing a nuisance or campers aren't behaving. Usually we agree an acceptable deadline with the campers. This is cheaper and quicker than taking legal action.
If we can't agree an eviction deadline there are powers the police can use. We have to apply these in line with the Human Rights Act and Race Relations Act, otherwise we may be challenged in court.