Travellers

HC Deb 19 October 2001 vol 372 cc1398-9W

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his powers to deal with travellers. [8561]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 18 October 2001]The police have powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct travellers or other trespassers to leave land when the appropriate statutory requirements are met. These are discretionary powers and it is the operational responsibility of the chief officer of the force concerned to decide when and how to enforce these powers. The effectiveness of this legislation is kept under regular review.

Research has been conducted to review the effectiveness of the current Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)/Home Office Good Practice Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping. This will be published shortly.