Guildford’s MP to Raise Issue of Traveller Incursions at the ‘Highest Levels’

Published on: 11 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 14 Jul, 2018

Shalford Common today (11 July) which also serves as Shalford Cricket Club’s ground.

Anne Milton, Guildford’s MP, says she is taking the subject of Traveller incursions up at the highest levels following the occupation by Travellers of Shalford Common and Shalford Park.

Rt Hon Anne Milton MP

Many residents in Shalford and the surrounding area are reported to have been concerned about the recent unauthorised traveller encampment on Shalford Common, which moved to Shalford Park. Both areas are now clear.

Other locations in Guildford Borough, including Effingham Common and Pirbright, have been subject to illegal encampments over the last year.

Milton said: “Many local people have been in touch with me as they are concerned about the recent influx of Travellers at Shalford.

Whilst this matter is the responsibility of Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to deal with, I am also taking this up with the relevant people at the highest levels – both locally and nationally.“

Shalford Park today, the Travellers having left.

Yesterday (July 10, 2018) GBC published the following: “We are aware of the new traveller encampment on Shalford Park, and are in the process of doing all we can, as quickly as possible.

“The travellers who arrived on the evening of 9 July will be served with a notice directing them to leave as soon as possible.

“We are working with the police who are also aware of the current situation. If the caravans and accompanying vehicles have not left the site in accordance with the direction to leave, we will take further action through the legal process.

A cordoned off, littered area close to Shalford Park near the River Wey. It is not known who is responsible for the litter.

“We are monitoring the situation and have provided the occupants with bin bags, and made arrangements to remove any rubbish.”

Anne Milton has also written to the Minister at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to highlight local concerns about a series of similar incidents in and around Guildford over the last few months.

Ms Milton continued: “Both the council and Surrey Police are doing everything they can to deal with this situation, but they only have limited powers.

“I will continue to push for action and will be keeping in touch with constituents at every stage as this develops.”

“If you are a local resident who has been affected by this and you want to raise any concerns, or if there is anything else I can do to help, please do get in touch via the following contact details: eMail – anne.milton.mp@parliament.uk or tel – 0207 219 8392.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Munro, later added his views. He said he believes the police and council response to unauthorised Traveller encampments is improving in Surrey – but longer term solutions are still desperately needed.

The PCC has reiterated his call for the provision of transit sites in the county as temporary stopping places for Travellers after a number of encampments in the county including Hersham, Shepperton, Woking and Esher over recent days.

His office released a video which explores the issue of unauthorised encampments and transit sites from a number of different viewpoints including Surrey residents and members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community.

A statement issued by the PCC’s office said: “The PCC has been in regular dialogue with Surrey Police and various local councils over their response to the encampments this summer. He has also written to all MPs and council leaders in Surrey to ask for their support in the urgent provision of sites in the county.”

Commissioner Munro added: “I have received correspondence from different parts of the county where members of the public are concerned about the impact of unauthorised encampments in their local area.

“My office has looked into each and every occurrence reported to us and I believe the police and local councils working together have greatly improved their response in dealing with these encampments and moving them on where required.

“However, without the provision of designated transit sites to direct Traveller groups to – we are finding faster evictions are resulting in an increase in encampments with the same groups populating more locations in the county for shorter periods of time.

“This is inevitably causing an increased strain on police resources. It is important police treat everyone equally and remain completely impartial when dealing with criminality. The vast majority of the Traveller population are law abiding but if any associated criminality does occur then the police have a duty to respond as they would to any report.

“We must seek to find longer term solutions that both lessen the impact on our local communities whilst at the same time seeking to meet the needs of the travelling community. That is why I am continuing to call for the provision of transit sites in Surrey.”