Illegal traveller camps fall in Sandwell by 60 per cent

Sandwell Council dealt with 34 camps this year, compared with 85 in 2016.

Economy boss Paul Moore welcomed the fall, saying the new measures have had a 'major impact'.

The measures taken have seen Sandwell Council build a transit site, bring an injunction against a traveller family and 17-council sites, and secure further sites from trespassing.

Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration and economy, said: "The action we’ve taken to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments in Sandwell has had a major impact – to see the number of encampments fall so drastically tells us what we’re doing is having a real effect.

"Not only does this issue cause real worry and concern for our communities, it was also costing the council around £250,000 a year.

"We’re committed to continue tackling unauthorised encampments as a priority in 2018."

Sandwell Council introduced a transit site in Boulton Road, Smethwick, in September - marking the first of its kind in the West Midlands.

It brought in new powers which allows police to move travellers immediately onto the site from illegal camps. Those that refuse face being banned from the borough for three months.

Travellers are charged a fee to stay there and provided with wash facilities. But only one group have used it so far.

Meanwhile an injunction was brought against 14 members of the Cassidy family in August which prevented them setting up illegal camps anywhere in the borough.

The injunction was also served on 17 council-owned sites, which prevent any traveller groups from establishing camps on them.

Sandwell Council also secured further sites from trespassing after a survey revealed 86 sites had been targeted by groups since 2013.

Council leader Steve Eling said the authority will press on with targetting illegal traveller camps in 2018, saying: "We’ll continue our efforts to reduce unauthorised encampments on council land."