Travellers moved on by police - Hampshire

From This Is Hampshire

TRAVELLERS who set up camp in an Andover industrial estate have been moved on by police.

Police used a power called Section 61 for the first time this year in the town to get rid of the group from the camp.

The Travellers moved onto the site of a small company in Walworth Industrial Estate on Monday, 16 July.

Officers received complaints about mess, nuisance and damage which led Ch Insp Simon Dodds to authorise a Section 61 Dispersal Notice. This gave the group until 5pm on Friday, 20 July to leave. There were no Travellers left on the site by 4.30pm that day.

Under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, powers can be considered by police when there is significant nuisance or criminal behaviour, unacceptable levels of damage to land or property to gain entry or remain or a danger to Travellers from the chosen site, such as environmental health factors Ch Insp Dodds said: “This is the first time this year that a Section 61 Dispersal Notice has been issued in Andover. “I hope this swift action will convey to all sections of the community that a robust approach will be taken to any legal encampments.”