Gypsies and travellers, then and now.

‘One cannot live without champagne and gypsies’.  So goes the well known Russian proverb, which is quoted to great effect in the pre-revolutionary version of the song ‘Dark Eyes’, or ‘Ochi chernye’. The arrival of a gypsy troupe at a party is an essential feature of any historical Russian film, and throughout Russian literature they symbolise a heady mix of exoticism, sexual danger and romance.

Even today no trip down the Volga is complete without a concert from a gypsy band (see above).

Unfortunately In Suffolk these days the arrival of gypsies and travellers is not met with the same level of enthusiasm.  Indeed two encampments over the past month on Chilton Airfield, and one on Friar’s Meadow in Sudbury have elicited some angry letters to the press, and a number of phone calls to me from worried residents.

Babergh has come in for some criticism for ‘inaction’ with regard to this issue, and so when I was in Hadleigh today I thought it might be useful to try to learn more about our obligations with respect to gypsies and travellers.

The bottom line is that, unless they actually trespass on land belonging to Babergh, the council has no immediate obligation to move them on.  This is the role of the landowner, who is expected to do something about trespassers on their property.  Babergh is however obliged to liaise with the County Council’s officers when it is made aware of the presence of travellers in the District.  The County Council, in turn, is obliged to visit the new arrivals to check on their welfare and educational needs.   

However, if the travellers cause an environmental nuisance, Babergh need to take the necessary action. Also, when the travellers stay for long enough for their presence to be considered a breach of planning laws, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.  An example of this is the well publicised action taken by Basildon Council to evict travellers who effectively set up permanent homes on the Dale Farm site in Essex.  As can be seen from this case however, the process of eviction can be very lengthy.  It should be added that this latter case is unusual.  Travellers are generally just that, and it is rare for them to stay in one place for too long.

The police are likely to become involved with travellers sites when the number of vehicles exceed 9, and they have reason to believe that some crime is likely to be committed.

This is my understanding of what I learnt from officers today.  I hope it clarifies the situation somewhat.