Fresh crackdown on Sandwell traveller campsites

Parks in Oldbury, Smethwick and Great Barr have all been targeted in recent months, while travellers also tried to force their way on to Warley Woods to set up camp.

Now Sandwell Council is in the process of drawing up a new action plan with West Midlands Police to try to minimise disruption caused by 'emotive and politically sensitive' unauthorised traveller encampments.

The authority's community safety, highways and environment scrutiny board will raise ideas on how best to tackle travellers at a meeting next week.

This will help form the new 'protocol' in responding to traveller encampments.

Cabinet member Councillor Paul Moore said the council will be working 'closer and more efficiently' with the police for the benefit of residents.

He said: "The council and the police currently have a general protocol that sets out how both authorities will respond to incidences of travellers brought to our attention.

"Following the large number of encampments this year I've instigated a review of the policy with West Midlands Police.

"A new protocol will be brought forward in the next few months which will ensure a more consistent response from the council and the police to any incidents."

A report released ahead of next week's meeting states: "The issue of unauthorised traveller encampments is emotive and politically sensitive.

"In the event of an encampment being established wherever in the borough of Sandwell, local residents, politicians and local businesses or landowners may seek to influence the actions of both local authority and police.

"Complaints will be received from both parties, some spurious and others that can be demonstrated.

"Such complaints received may be specific such as fly-tipping, criminal damage, barking dogs, off-roading and noise from generators.

"This list however, is not exhaustive and each encampment will be acted upon individually and the response to each encampment will be proportionate to its size, location and complaints received.

"Both Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police are committed to ensuring the fundamental human rights of travellers and will take no action that will unreasonably prejudice their interests.

"However, any decisions made in relation to evictions...will be made with the wider interests of the community in mind."