§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether operational advice from the Association of Chief Police Officers on "unauthorised encampments of gypsies/travellers" referred to in Lord Bassam of Brighton's letter of 19 February to Lord Tebbit, in response to the debate of 31 January on police numbers, police morale and violent crime, also applies to encampments that have been given legal status by the Home Office.[HL1039]
§ Lord Bassamof Brighton: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance refers to police powers to direct trespassers to leave land under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. These apply to unauthorised encampments where the trespassers have been asked to leave by the occupier of the land, where they have six or more vehicles present, or where they have caused damage or used threatening, abusive or insulting language to the occupier, his agent or members of his family.
The powers do not apply on authorised sites where the persons present are not trespassers. The provision of authorised sites is a matter for local authorities.