A CHARITY that aims to end racism and discrimination against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers has decried a bill that could grant new powers to act on unauthorised encampments.

The Friends, Families and Travellers called the proposed measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill “draconian” in nature.

More than 100 traveller caravans were pitched in Carlisle this summer – fewer than five on unauthorised sites – according to figures.

Public affairs and policy manager for Friends, Families and Travellers, Abbie Kirkby, said: “It tells us the number of vehicles, but nothing about the people and stories behind them.

“With the Government’s policing Bill making its way through Parliament, Gypsy and Traveller people living roadside will soon be caught in a catch-22 of potentially facing prison or being forced to move into bricks and mortar.

“It’s utterly illogical and immoral to use the full force of the law to tell people where they can’t go without telling them where they can go.”

The proposed Bill going through Parliament would see police given greater powers to tackle such encampments, including the right to seize vehicles and impose heavy fines on those trespassing “with intent to reside”.

Data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows there were 106 traveller caravans in Carlisle that month – down from 121 in July 2019, when the last summer count took place.

Of those counted this year, three were on unauthorised pitches.

Chair of the North Cumbria Community Safety Partnership, Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson, said: “The figures are down this year [partly] because of Covid and because there were stiffer restrictions at the Appleby Horse Fair.”

Commenting on the proposed bill, Cllr Mallinson, who is also a Carlisle City Councillor for Stanwix, added: “I support authorised traveller camps.

"I think that is important and that is the way forward.

“Unfortunately, over the last couple of years we have had incidents in Rickerby Park.

"We have had unauthorised parking.

“The mess that [was] left has been appalling. We have residents who are very concerned.

“I actually think that the Bill going through Parliament has been brought forward just for this reason.

"There has been really anti-social disturbances up and down the country.

“In some parts, violence.

“You cannot say that all travellers don’t obey the laws because they do, but we have had unauthorised travellers parking in Rickerby Park.

"I fully understand that there is a problem and I fully understand where the travellers [charity] is coming from.

"We as a council work to make sure that we do sign post to the correct places, and if there is illegal parking my officers and I will go down to Rickerby Park or wherever it is and talk to them to see if they need any medical help or [other support].

"We are very keen to make sure that regardless of [travellers] parking illegally, that safeguarding takes place."

On whether the city Ccouncil could do anything more for the travellers by way of creating more authorised sites, Cllr Mallinson said: "It's always on the cards and we are always looking at the needs.

"I cannot say that there is anything at this given period of time because we do have the capacity at the sites that we have at the moment.

"If there comes a need, then of course we will look at it again.

"But we will always sign post people to authorised sites and we look at unauthorised parking and make sure that they get medical attention if needs be and that the children are safe."