New joint task group tackle problem traveller camps
As the number of travellers rapidly rises this year, so too are reports by homeowners and businesses of anti-social behaviour, criminal activity, and despair at the mess left behind.
It has prompted a joint meeting between the affect authorities, led by Sandwell Council, which put the annual cost of dealing with illegal encampments as being in the region of £250,000
Nick Bubalo, the council's director for regeneration and economy, said: "Sandwell are in the process of co-ordinating a joint Black Country meeting between respective councils and police chiefs to look more strategically at how we can deal with this growing issue.
"The council is looking at the legislation to see where a more targeted approach can be taken in relation to the worst offenders."
Mr Bubalo also confirmed that the council has established a monthly working group with the police to respond to the growing concerns raised by the public.
He added that the council is currently working to enhance security at sites which have been broken into, as well as checking those which could be at risk in the future, and is working closely with West Midlands Police.
However, there are concerns at the police's response.
One councillor who has seen her fair share of travellers, is Dudley's Halesowen North representative, councillor Hilary Bills.
"There's been a little bit of inconsistency with the police this year, because there's something called a section 61 of the criminal code, which is actually a forced entry.
"Last year we were told, make your parks and green spaces secure, so that if they have to perform a criminal act to break in, the police will have something called a section 61 and then they have 24 hours to go," she said.
"My own personal experience in my own ward is we've had two incursions, on both occasions the travellers had to commit a crime to get in, and on neither occasion did police use a section 61.
"So I have an axe to grind," she added. "Regular people, law-abiding people, do not understand why other people can come into our community, break the laws, and nothing happens."
Residents are also pointing the finger at the local authorities.
When travellers returned to playing fields next to Pitfields Close, in Oldbury, 64-year-old resident Gordon Foulkes said: "This is the third time we have had them in 12 months. I don't think the council secured the premises enough.
"This is a quiet cul-de-sac but when the travellers come it is like a main road. Residents are at their wits end because we keep looking for the next lot. It is a nightmare."
Similarly the travellers persistence in returning to open space in between Wyntor Lane and Schofield Avenue, in West Bromwich, has angered Ryan Brookes, 33. "Since then we have had travellers three times.
"The mess they left was unbelievable. If I left that outside my house I would have to pay for it, but they seem to get away with murder," he said.
Residents have become so angered by the recurring issue and terrible mess left at beauty spot Delves Green that they launched a petition urging Walsall and Sandwell councils and the police to look again at their protocols and procedures, which has now been handed in after being signed by more than 1,300 people.
It was organised by Yew Tree and Tame Bridge community group, whose chairman Darryl Magher, 51, said: "Over recent years we have had encampments and the mess and aggro that came with them. The current encampments and people in them are very much more of a problem.
"We have had threats, stones thrown, threatening behaviour, riding of motos up and down streets in a reckless manner, cross-country style driving over the fields, human excrement in wooded areas, music and noise at all times of the day. Dogs running loose."
West Midlands Police spokesman Lee Page said: "There seems to be a misconception that the police have the power to immediately close down these camps and move people on, but in reality the process that we have to follow is controlled by law.
"Despite the best efforts of the police and councils, and our desire to secure swift vacation of the land, this process can sometimes take up to a week if we have to go to court.
We appreciate that it can be a frustrating for people living nearby. When a camp moves it can sometimes relocate to land nearby. At this point the process starts again.
