Report an unauthorised Gypsy or Traveller site

1 Report an encampment

Contact us if an unauthorised Gypsy or Traveller encampment is set up on public land or a highway without permission. Firstly, you can check if the encampment has already been reported to us. You can then complete our online form below or phone 01243 642139.

2 Already reported encampments

There are currently no encampments on public or highway land that the county council is aware of.

Last updated: 1 April 2025

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.

4 Unauthorised encampments on private land

These are the responsibility of the land owner.