Powers used on travellers for first time
Tough new eviction powers were used for the first time in the West Midlands when travellers set up camp in Sandwell.
Twelve caravans got onto Vaughan Trading Estate in Tipton overnight on Friday (23) before moving to Ridgacre industrial estate in West Bromwich.
Police served a 62 notice on the group - giving officers the power to make arrests and seize caravans and vehicles - and the group then immediately left.
Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This swift action by the council and police shows how effective our new arrangements are for dealing with unauthorised encampments."
Sandwell established a temporary travellers camp last year which allows all illegal camps in the borough to be moved onto there, unless they leave the borough.
Any camps that refuse then can face arrest and have their vehicles seized under Section 61 powers.
The group on Friday refused to leave after being told to move onto the transit site which is when police issued the notice, prompting the travellers to leave.
The number of illegal camps fell by 60 per cent in Sandwell in 2017 following tough new powers brought in by the council.
