Anger at ‘offensive’ Leeds Traveller camp ban

A scathing attack on council plans for a permanent legal ban on unauthorised Traveller camps in part of Leeds has been launched.

In a letter sent to every councillor in the city, Helen Jones, chief executive officer at Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange, labelled the idea of an injunction as “offensive”.

The move comes as Leeds City Council’s legal team pursue a ban on unauthorised camps in parts of Armley, Wortley and Holbeck.

An injunction would mean Travellers being taken before the court if they set up such camps – they could face a fine or prison.

Ms Jones said: “We want to make clear our strongest possible objection to this development which will effectively criminalise Gypsies and Irish Travellers of Leeds because they are homeless.”

The injunction would be the second in Leeds after an area of Burley was protected by the courts last year.

It would mean unauthorised camps in the area would become a criminal offence.

The sites are currently only subject to civil law, with eviction notices lasting just three months, meaning groups can circulate different unauthorised sites until eviction notices run out.

Ms Jones said: “We are utterly horrified that unauthorised encampment in our home town is effectively being criminalised prior to authorised choices being available.”

She said that it is “not necessary to resort to criminal law” as temporary negotiated stopping areas would be a better way to manage the Traveller population.

Permanent injunctions are now thought to be possible as the council are seeking 12 new permanent Traveller pitches in Leeds with £1million of government funding.

But Ms Jones said that even after the council’s new pitches are secured, the need for sites by 2015 is estimated to be for 48 new pitches.

Unauthorised camps have cost Leeds City Council nearly £2million in legal and clean-up costs since 2004.

Ms Jones said that placing injunctions on areas of the city will “intensify” unauthorised camps elsewhere.

She added: “We are a community, we have a shared history and culture.”