Unauthorised encampments

Rights of the travelling community

The decision to adopt a travelling lifestyle either on a long or short-term basis is made by a wide variety of people for a wide variety of reasons.

Everyone has rights, including travellers, the local community and the people who own the land where the unauthorised encampment is located. Ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language or values are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

It is therefore important travellers are not denied the right to council services.