New crackdown on travellers in Sandwell after 25 per cent rise in camps

The borough has been blighted by a 25 per cent rise in camps in the last 18 months and chiefs have revealed injunctions that neighbouring Walsall is using are due to be brought in.

These enable authorities to break up illegal camps much quicker than with their normal powers.

Only four councils in the country have so far brought in the powers – with Sandwell set to become the fifth.

Cabinet member for regeneration and economic investment Paul Moore said 'nothing was off the table' as chiefs bid to combat the increased influx of travellers.

The action already granted to Walsall Council gives the authority powers to remove travellers from sites in just 24 hours.

Councillor Moore said: "We've experienced about a 25 per cent increase in the last 12 to 18 months (in the number of unauthorised encampments).

"We're following a similar route that Walsall have gone down in terms of legal action – but that isn't the only option.

"On a wider level, Sandwell Council is leading on producing a Black Country policy on unauthorised encampments.

"Another important thing we're doing is securing our high risk sites that have been repeatedly targeted. The issues and problems about unauthorised encampments require more than just one response.

"Going down the legal route is another one of our options."

So far this year, the cash-strapped council has spent more than £250,000 clearing up the mess left behind after travellers have moved on.

This cash would be much better off spent elsewhere, according to Councillor Steve Melia, whose Great Barr with Yew Tree ward has borne much of the brunt of the illegal camps.