John Denham

The government has announced new measures to "tackle public concern about nuisance and disorder" caused by unauthorised traveller encampments.

The joint announcement from the Home Office and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister promised a "radical overhaul" of current policy, with a twin-track approach focusing on clamping down on nuisance while improving the provision of permanent sites for travellers.

The government promised tough powers for the police to move on unauthorised traveller camps, coupled with changes to its current spending rules so the £8 million being spent on the Gypsy Site Refurbishment Programme from April 2003 can also provide funding for temporary sites.

"Taken together this approach signifies the government's determination to provide a viable framework within which local agencies - in particular local authorities and the police - can respond to unauthorised camping in a way which recognises the needs and concerns of both the settled and traveller communities," said Home Office minister John Denham.

The government wants more temporary, transit and emergency stopping places for travellers. The new approach is currently being finalised, and details of the local authority bidding process will be announced in the autumn.

Figures for January 2002 indicated there were 325 local authority Gypsy sites in England, providing space for 5005 caravans. This network of sites would provide accommodation for just under half of Gypsy caravans.

While working to create new camps, the government also announced plans for a crackdown on unauthorised camps. New guidance will be drawn up for police and local authorities.

"The guidance will emphasise that the same standards of behaviour and regard for the law are expected from all sectors of the community, including regard for public health, proper disposal of waste and the conduct of business activities," said the government.

The police will be given new eviction powers in areas where local authorities have made adequate provision of temporary sites for the number of travellers that regularly pass through their area.

Housing and regeneration minister Tony McNulty said the revised policy was a "positive step".

"Our strategy is balanced and fair. The standard of behaviour of travellers should be the same as that expected of the settled community and does not mean turning a blind eye to anti-social behaviour," he said.

For the three years from April 2001 the government has made £17 million available to local authorities to improve and refurbish existing sites. The final year of the current programme will benefit from the new rule changes.

The government said its revised approach would inform spending reviews for subsequent years.