Travellers moved from Toys R Us in Oldbury

Members who set up camp on the site of Toys R Us in Oldbury have been banned for three months from entering Sandwell after refusing the councils requests to leave.

New powers brought in to tackle unauthorised encampments were used for the second time in a month in a bid to move the travellers on.

Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Our staff worked closely with the police and site owners after the two caravans set up a small encampment on Sunday and by Monday they were gone.

“Once again, for the second time in a month, we are seeing the benefits of having a transit site, which means the police can use their additional powers if the encampment refuses to use the site or leave the borough.”

Council chiefs asked two caravans to use the council's transit site – where rent of £80 a week and a £250 deposit is expected to be paid for each caravan.

But those wishing to set up refused the council's request and officers from West Midlands Police exercised their Section 62 powers to move them on.

The camps members quickly left the site in Sandwell after a ban of three months from the borough was issued –with a breach of the ban able to lead to arrest and vehicle seizure.

It comes as neighbouring councils have been looking to bring in similar measures in a bid to stamp out illegal encampments.

Bosses from Dudley Council are in the process of creating a temporary travellers transit site in the borough as a way of putting a stop to the unauthorised camps.

Proposals for the site in Budden Road were approved last month by the planning committee – with the launch of a public consultation giving nearby residents the chance to have their say until March 24.

Council leader Patrick Harley said: “We want to put a stop to unauthorised camps. We believe that the Budden Road land is best placed to accommodate a temporary travellers transit site.”