A DOWNING Street petition has been launched to make setting up unauthorised traveller sites a criminal offence.
There needs to be a stronger deterrent and making illegal pitches a criminal offence would be just that.
Under the existing civil rules residents have to wait several days before action is taken to clear illegal traveller sites.
The clear-up afterwards has to be paid for by the taxpayer, and frankly, enough is enough.
Making the setting up of unauthorised traveller sites a criminal offence will swiftly deal with the problem of illegal camps.
There will be a strong deterrent and powers for the police to clear the areas immediately. Rather than civil procedures, this will send a strong message that illegal sites are not tolerated and they will be cleared quickly.
While each local authority has a duty to offer sites, it is wrong that a small minority persist in trespassing and forming unauthorized sites.
I would hope that a change in the law would protect community lands and see that all obey the law.
Paul Nuttall, North West MEP and UKIP deputy leader.
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