Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a consultation of what to do about illegal traveller encampments and has responded by calling for the adoption of the so-called “Irish Option” of making deliberate trespass a criminal offence.
Mark is one of a number of MPs who have been calling on the Government for some time to tighten the law regarding illegal traveller encampments, which are a major problem in Essex, particularly in the spring and summer months. As a result of pressure from MPs, including a debate in Parliament last autumn, the Government has today announced a consultation on what to do about the problem.
The law in Ireland was changed some years ago to make deliberate acts of trespass a criminal offence but this has had the unintended consequence that many traveller families now come to England instead.
Commenting on the consultation and his advocacy of the “Irish Option”, Mark Francois said:
“Some travellers are perfectly law abiding but some others cause a major nuisance to the settled community each year, partly because they regard us as something of a soft touch. Making deliberate trespass a criminal offence would give police the power to arrest travellers in illegal encampments and, if necessary, confiscate their vehicles. This would be a much more robust way of dealing with the problem and I believe we should learn from Ireland’s experience and introduce a similar law here. I would encourage as many people across Essex as possible to respond to the consolation and to make their feelings known.”
The consolation closes on 15th June 2018 and anybody wishing to support the Irish Option is encouraged to complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NW6G3YD or email [email protected]