Gypsies, travellers and the law

From time to time gypsies/travellers set up camp in the Borough without permission from the landowner.

The aim of this information is to set out how the Council and other official agencies will work to try to balance the rights of all those involved.

August 2024 Update

The Council is aware that a Romany Religious Festival is currently taking place in the Borough. The Festival, which includes religious services, is expected to run until Friday 9 August. The event is being held on private land with the agreement of the landowner and private event management is in place. When the event ends, and vehicles leave the venue, local Police officers will look at what resources may be required to minimise disruption for other road users during this time.

Why do gypsies/travellers pursue a travelling lifestyle?

Their way of life means that they travel the country staying for various periods of time in different locations, in order to earn a living. This has been their way of life for many generations.

Does the Council have a duty to move gypsies/travellers when they are camped without the landowner's permission?

No. If gypsies/travellers are camped on Council land, the Council can evict them.

If they are on private land, it is usually the landowner's responsibility. The Government has advised that when gypsies/travellers are not causing a problem, the site may be tolerated.

If gypsies/travellers camp on private land, what can the landowner do?

(i) Talk to them to see if a leaving date can be agreed.

(ii) Take proceedings in the County Court under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 to obtain a Court Order for their eviction. There must be a minimum of two clear days between service of documents and the Court hearing.

What if the landowner decides to let them stay on the land temporarily?

Unless the landowner has already obtained planning permission for a caravan site or is a farmer and the gypsies/travellers are helping with fruit picking etc., then the landowner could be in breach of the Planning Acts and the Acts dealing with the licensing of caravan sites. You may wish to seek further advice from Fareham Borough Council Environmental Health section, who deal with illegal encampments.

If the landowner fails to take the appropriate action to remove the gypsies/travellers, what will the Council do?

If the landowner is in breach of any planning or license requirements, then the Council will take proceedings against the landowner to require removal of the illegal encampment.

I have seen gypsies/travellers camping on the side of the road and sometimes on parks or other Council-owned land, what can the Council do in these cases?

If the gypsies/travellers are causing problems they will be moved on as soon as is possible and reasonable. The Council will consider each case on its merits. In all cases the site is visited and every effort made to make sure that the gypsies/travellers keep the site tidy and do not cause public health problems. This sometimes means that refuse collection facilities may be provided for this purpose.

Can the Council remove gypsies/travellers from their land immediately?

No, the Council must:

show that the gypsies/travellers are on the land without consent;
make enquiries regarding the general health, welfare and children's education;
ensure that the Human Rights Acts 1998 has been fully complied with;
follow a set procedure in terms of proving ownership of land and details of the illegal encampment that will enable them to successfully obtain the necessary authority from the Courts to order the gypsies/travellers to leave the site.

What is the set procedure?

When travellers arrive, the Council and/or Police are notified by members of the public.
A visit will be made by the Council and the Police as soon as possible.
If offences under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act are identified, the Police can work in partnership with the council or land owner to resolve the situation by use of Police powers or supporting the land owner while they initiate legal repossession action of the land concerned.
If on Council-owned land, the travellers will be instructed to leave immediately by a Council Officer.
The Council will then inform the Legal Department at the earliest opportunity (as soon as they are open if not during business hours) who will draft a written notice, instructing all travellers to leave immediately. This notice must be appended to all vehicles on the site or handed to the occupants. Note this is not a legal notice, it is an instruction
A 'Welfare Needs Assessment' must then be undertaken by the Council on all travellers on site. We are obliged to provide details of schools, doctors, hospitals, etc.
Land deeds then need to be obtained from the Estates team to show the Council has an interest in the land and is responsible for it.
A statement must then be prepared by the Council Officer dealing with the case, noting all actions that have already been taken.
The 'Welfare Needs Assessment', land deeds and statement must then be passed to the Legal Department to put the correct paperwork in place for the court.
All paperwork is then taken to the Court who will provide a date for a 'land possession hearing'. This will usually be two clear working days.
Paperwork provided by the Court stating the date of the hearing must then be photocopied and taken to the site where a copy will be placed on each vehicle or handed to the occupants.
Once the hearing has taken place the travellers will be informed of the decision and given 24 hours to leave. If they do not leave, they will be removed by the Court Bailiffs.
The Council will then look at preventative measures for the vacated site to try to prevent the travellers returning to the site at a later date.

How long will it take for the gypsies/travellers to be removed?

This will depend upon the circumstances of each individual case. The Council will need to take account of the issues outlined above as well as how soon they can obtain a Court hearing date.

Can the Court refuse to grant the Council an order to move gypsies/travellers on?

Yes. If there is an unavoidable reason for the gypsies/travellers to stay on the site, or if the Court believes that the Council have failed to make adequate enquiries regarding the general health and welfare of the gypsies/travellers. The Council must try to find out this information before going to Court.

Do gypsies/travellers have rights?

Yes, everyone has rights. Gypsies and travellers are protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language or values.

What about residents' rights if the gypsies/travellers are causing a disturbance?

If gypsies/travellers are behaving in an anti social manner, for example causing a disturbance, you should report it to the Police by calling 101.

Who has to clear up any mess that might be left behind?

It is the responsibility of the landowner.

Have the Council got a policy?

Yes. Please follow this link to Fareham Borough Council's Unauthorised Encampment Policy PDF (87 KB)

What can the Police do?

The Police will review all reports of unauthorised encampments and, if offences under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act are identified, can work in partnership with the council or land owner to resolve the situation by use of Police powers or supporting the land owner while they initiate legal repossession action of the land concerned. For more information contact Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101 or via email External Hyperlink (opens in new window) .

Useful contacts

Help us identify vulnerable land

Every year a number of gypsies and travellers illegally encamp on our land and although the Council works hard to substantially protect the land, there are areas that go undetected. If you see land across the Borough that appears particularly vulnerable to a possible invasion by gypsies and travellers (e.g. if fencing, gates or barriers are damaged, which could make access for the travellers onto the land easier) then we would be grateful if you could let us know about it. If the land is Council owned we will arrange to make repairs, and if the land is privately owned we will contact the owner and offer them advice.

Report vulnerable land

Please report any land that you feel is vulnerable to unlawful encampment by gypsies and travellers by e-mail regulatory@fareham.gov.uk or telephone 01329 236100.