FOI request (FOIR-710904431)

Use of anti-social behaviour powers against Romani and Irish Traveller communities

Requested Thu 01 May 2025
Responded Tue 10 June 2025

Unauthorised encampments:

1. How many complaints have the council received between the calendar years 2019 and 2024 about unauthorised encampments in the local authority area?

2. The number of times your local authority has evicted members of the Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities from encampments from public or private land between 2019 and 2024.

3. Of those, how many were carried out using:

a. Anti-social behaviour powers (please specify which)

b. Planning enforcement powers

4. Whether the authority works in partnership with the police or private bailiffs in these cases, and any costs incurred.

5. Copies of any internal policies or protocols used in making decisions to evict.

Anti-social behaviour powers:

1. A list of all anti-social behaviour powers used by your authority that were directed at members of Romani Gypsy or Irish Traveller communities/any orders that specifically mention members of these communities.

2. For each instance, please provide:

a. The type of power used (for example, Community Protection Notice, Public Spaces Protection Order, Dispersal Order, Injunction, Criminal Behaviour Order, and so on)

b. The location

c. The date

d. The reason for its use

e. Whether the action was challenged and the outcome of any challenge

3. Please confirm whether your authority has a specific policy or guidance for the use of ASB powers against Romani Gypsy or Irish Traveller or nomadic communities.

Injunctions:

1. Has your authority applied for, obtained, or enforced any injunctions (interim or final) to prevent unauthorised encampments, including 'wide' or 'persons unknown' injunctions?

2. For each injunction, please provide:

a. The type (for example, interim, final, wide-area, 'persons unknown')

b. The date it was granted and by which court

c. The geographic area or sites it covers

d. The legal grounds on which it was sought (for example, nuisance, ASB, trespass)

e. Whether it was directed at specific individuals or groups, and whether Traveller communities were named or implicitly included

3. The number of times the injunction has been enforced, including:

a. How enforcement took place (for example, eviction, arrest, fine)

b. Whether any individuals from Romani Gypsy or Irish Traveller communities were affected

c. Any challenges or appeals, including outcomes

4. Copies of any Equality Impact Assessments or Human Rights Assessments conducted in connection with seeking or enforcing such injunctions.

---

Response

Unauthorised encampments:

1. Information not held.

2. Information not held.

3a. Not applicable.

3b. Not applicable.

4. Not applicable.

5. Not applicable.

Anti-social behaviour powers:

1. Nil.

2. Not applicable.

3. No.

Injunctions:

1. No.

2. Not applicable.

3. Not applicable.

4. Not applicable.