MP Robert Halfon votes for tougher laws for unlawful encampments
General / Tue 8th Mar 2022 at 07:41am
MANY residents will recall the extreme difficulties that unauthorised encampments caused residents across the town in recent years. Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, worked hard with the police and council at the time to tackle the issue but it was always clear that the police needed further powers to deal with the issue straight away.
Mr Halfon has consistently campaigned in Parliament for the police to receive greater powers and this week he voted for “tough new measures” to tackle any unauthorised encampments immediately.
The Harlow MP voted not just to establish a new law which “creates powers for the police to seize property (including vehicles) where individuals reside or intend to reside on land with a vehicle” but also to very much strengthen the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which will ensure such encampments cannot return once they have been moved on.
The new offence will target trespassers who intend to reside on any private or public land in vehicles without permission, and where they are causing significant disruption, distress or harm to local communities.
Police will be given powers to seize vehicles and arrest offenders. The measures will target harmful encampments which reflect badly on the wider community. Existing police powers are also being strengthened to ensure trespassers leave land and do not return.
Commenting on his successful campaign, Mr Halfon said: “I have worked hard in Parliament over many years to ensure that the police have the powers they need to ensure Harlow is never again blighted by unauthorised encampments in the way we saw a few years ago.
“I led a parliamentary debate on the matter, have met numerous times with Ministers and the Police Commissioner for Essex and have raised this on many occasions in Parliament.
“I am pleased that this campaign has resulted in new laws and tough new powers for the police to be established and I voted for these measures on Monday in Parliament – as I pledged to do.
“I will continue to work hard to ensure that our town never again faces the difficulties brought by unauthorised encampments again.”
Kim Oconnor
2022-03-08 10:31:35
Don't let a few gypsies distract you councils,from the real damage you will be doing to this town and environment. Building unaffordable housing Building housing association and telling people there council, there not there private. And the destruction of our river stort, wet lands , wildlife, and trees. By building a 4 lane road, over our beautiful river. That you say will not destroy this river, what!!! What planet are you on. So please don't get distracted by a few gypsies.
Margaret Millington-Drake
2022-03-08 16:24:23
These traveller sites should be located as far as possible from residential neighbourhoods. Residents in Hawthorns, Hilly Field, The Rundells and Corner Meadow have reported a stream of incidents of burglaries, vandalism and anti-social behaviour from the site on Fern Hill Road. The place looks like a rubbish tip. The Police are virtually powerless to act owing to excessive bureaucracy and politically correct nonsense from taking more assertive action. Quite recently, a group of these people parked up illegally in Tendring Road in front of a number of educational establishment, causing much littering and distress to local residents concerned for their children attending nearby schools. It took a good deal of protest to get them moved after three days of obstruction of a public highway. The police should have powers to move them immediately. Our MP is quite right to take a firm stand on this issue.
Margaret Millington-Drake
2022-03-08 16:29:54
The comments of Kim O’Connor are entirely irrelevant to the topic, are flippant and most insensitive to the distress caused to residents affected by this awful blight. It is a serious matter and our MP Robert Halfon would not have troubled to raise the issue were it not so.
Melanie
2022-03-08 17:18:21
Just wow. The last bastion of “legitimate” racism. Like all communities, you get the good, the bad and the in between. Yet Travellers always get a negative rap. As it’s International Women’s Day, perhaps spend 10 mins of your time watching this mini documentary where Roma women challenge negative stereotypes about the Travelling Community https://youtu.be/D1GHFc5oTUY
Kim Oconnor
2022-03-08 19:07:18
Margaret, I'm allowed to voice an option, I have , and stand by it. If you don't like it, then scroll past.
Ron Lucia
2022-03-08 20:03:07
Well done Robert. There were plenty of things the Police could have done, but didn't. I will say one thing, if travellers didn't make their sites looking like rubbish tips no one would complain, there would be no need too.
Margaret Millington-Drake
2022-03-08 20:46:44
Melanie, I saw the state of Tendring Road when these people were removed: appalling. Just take a ride up Fern Hill Lane. It is absolutely dreadful. Do these people have no concept of hygiene and environment. There is litter everywhere. There is no excuse whatsoever for such wanton and anti-social conduct. The people who live close by in The Hawthorns and Hilly Field are utterly decent residents who should not have to tolerate the abusive and intimidating conduct of these travellers.
Kevin
2022-03-09 17:52:07
I'm just going to say WELL DONE ROBERT the problems and distress these travellers previously caused and cost to the council and tax payers has been a major problem.
mike
2022-03-09 23:21:11
"I will say one thing, if travellers didn't make their sites looking like rubbish tips no one would complain, there would be no need too." that is so true ron, ive seen numerous burnt out cars and lots and lots of rubbish in the lead up to fern hill site, if they want more respect please live like humans not trash cans.
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