Report an unauthorised Gypsy or Traveller site

An unauthorised encampment is when someone sets up camp on land they do not own and do not have permission to use. This is considered a civil matter between the landowner and those on the land. If the land is privately owned, the landowner is responsible for managing the encampment and taking any necessary action.

The Safer Public Realm Team leads the council’s response to unauthorised encampments on council-owned land. Officers work with the council’s legal team and Thames Valley Police to make sure the right action is taken. This includes assessing any welfare needs of those on site and ensuring these are considered before any enforcement takes place.

Current unauthorised encampments in Reading

The council is unable to move travellers on straight away and must:

• show that the travellers are on land without consent
• make enquiries regarding the general health, welfare and children’s education
• ensure that the Human Rights Act 1998 has been fully complied with

The Safer Public Realm Team aim to visit new unauthorised encampments within 1 working day of it arriving to carry out an assessment of the site, welfare checks and advise the occupants they are trespassing and ask them to leave.

Officers prepare an assessment and evidence, which is reviewed to decide the most effective way to remove the encampment. This may include:


• working with Thames Valley Police to establish what action needs to be taken
• a hearing at the county or Magistrates Court to repossess the land
  

The time it takes to move an unauthorised encampment can vary. It depends on how quickly a court hearing can be scheduled and whether any welfare concerns need to be looked at first. If the court gives the council permission, action will then be taken to remove the encampment.

Advice for private landowners

It is the land owner’s responsibility to take the necessary action to evict the encampment on private land. Landowner’s can agree a leaving date with the occupants or take proceedings in the County Court under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 to obtain a Court Order for their eviction.