Travellers

[ivor4781]

a garage near me has got travellers trespassing on their property and obstructing access to the garage and reception and the police are not prepared to take any action over the intimidation,the owners have had to close the garage till further notice
what a complete farce.is this what we pay our council tax for,

[jackthehat]

What reasons did the Police Officers give for their seeming inaction?

[bookbinder]

It looks as complaining to the council might be the next step. Does the council have a traveller liaison officer, or somebody like that?

[sandyRoe]

The press would be interested in that story. The garage owner should contact the Mail.

[ivor4781]

the owners of the garage has been advised that they have no powers over trespass (the owners not the police) ...the police gave no reason just not going to get involved it seems

[craft1948]

Wouldn't it be terrible if a spark from a welding torch set fire to a caravan....

[boxtops]

I don't understand this - trespass is an offence, a bunch of Travellers have just been moved on from a council car park here....

[woofgang]

As I understand it, to get people evicted who are trespassing, the whole thing has to go to court and an eviction order obtained.

[naomi24]

It appears that in this instance the police do have the powers to move the travellers on. Some information here.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/sites_for_gypsies_and_travellers/eviction_by_the_police

[hc4361]

Trespass is a civil offence, not a criminal matter, and the police usually have no powers.

[ivor4781]

the point here being the garage has had to close loosing business

[New Judge]

The issue of trespass is a bit muddy. However the police certainly do have powers to deal with intimidation.

[dave50]

You mean Gypsies?

[whistonian]

Travellers seem to think that they can get away with murder,and when the police turn their backs it appears they can.Yes ring the press and turn it into a big issue,the press will love it ,the police won't.

[ivor4781]

dave50
just read this
. There are two types of Gypsies – Roma Gypsies and Irish Travellers. Both have a nomadic lifestyle but are separate ethnic groups.

[Baldric]

Few more than that ivor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy#Ethnic_groups

Boxy, your crowd are on the Prospect Roundabout atm,

[baza]

^^^ neither pay taxes, park where they like and have 15 yds of tarmac if you want your drive doing.

[New Judge]

"Both have a nomadic lifestyle.."

There must be a third lot, then. Those I've come across crave for a settled existence, want local councils to build permanent sites with all mod cons for them (free of charge) and when they progress from that they live in agreeable houses (free of charge), keep a couple of horses in their 25 foot back garden and three untaxed uninsured 4x4s on the front lot.

[lady-janine]

are we talking diddcoys here?

[lady-janine]

sorry diddycoys

[craft1948]

One of my uncles married into a very well-known gypsy family from Hampshire. My cousin boasts about being from a travelling family but lives in a very nice house in Poole, I doubt he's ever been in a caravan.