Travellers kicked off Walsall site inside 24 hours after new powers came into force
Travellers were kicked off a site in Walsall in just 24 hours, under new powers to take robust action against illegal camps.
A court injunction granting Walsall Council greater powers to remove travellers from sites across the borough in just 24 hours was recently granted.
The council is just the third local authority in the country to successfully obtain an injunction from the county court and now has increased powers to restrict the setting up of encampments or anti social behaviour at 12 specific sites, including Delves Green Common, which was targeted by travellers last week.
Approximately 14 caravans were encamped on Delves Green on the afternoon of October 6, prompting Walsall Council to work with West Midlands Police and Sandwell council to enforce the injunction and use its powers to remove the travellers.
At around 1.30pm the following day, bailiffs enforced the order resulting in the travellers leaving the site.
Three of the caravans then moved on to Manor Farm, Floyds Lane, Rushall in order to set up an unauthorised encampment.
They were moved swiftly from that site and told that the council would enforce the injunction order across the borough as well as use its common law powers to move the travellers off its land.
Councillor Sean Coughlan, leader of Walsall Council, said: "Walsall council is proud that by working on a multi-agency basis they have achieved this success.
The council will continue to deal robustly with any further unauthorised encampments within the borough.
"Travellers should be aware after today that Walsall is a no-go area for unauthorised encampments."
Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration with Sandwell Council, said: "We have been working with Walsall Council for some time to secure this injunction.
Residents on Yew Tree and Tame Bridge have experienced persistent problems with unauthorised encampments.
"Hopefully this step will provide some welcome relief for them."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson went on to state: "West Midlands Police is working very closely with each of the seven local authorities across the county to continuously develop our joint approaches to the issues of unlawful encampments."
The council focused its application for an injunction restraining people from setting up encampments to the 12 named sites.
