City Council and police ‘aware’ and ‘dealing’ with unauthorised encampments sites across Milton Keynes – MKFM 106.3FM

MKFM has reached out to Thames Valley Police and Milton Keynes City Council who say they are working together in response to unauthorised encampments in locations across the city.

The City Council has said they are ‘aware’ and ‘dealing’ with a number of unauthorised encampments across the city.

Currently, they are dealing with the following sites:  
          
– Gun Lane, Sherington
– Land off Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood
– Land off Chaffron Way, Furzton
– Old Groveway, Granby
– Pendeen Crescent, Snelshall East
– Monellan Grove, Caldecotte
– Land off Standing Way, Bletchley

In a statement issued to MKFM, Thames Valley Police and Milton Keynes City Council have explained the work that goes on behind the scenes:

Thames Valley Police and Milton Keynes City Council are working together in response to unauthorised encampments in locations across the city.

An unauthorised encampment is when an individual or a group of individuals with vehicles, move onto a piece of land not owned by them, and they do so with the intention of residing on that land – without the permission of the landowner. If the encampment is on public land then the landowner is often the local council.

Reports of unauthorised encampments on public land should be made to Milton Keynes City Council here.

Initially, a request to leave must be made to the group by the landowner if they are not happy with the group being on their land. In many cases, Milton Keynes City Council will take this first step.

If the group refuse to leave, further powers become available either to Thames Valley Police to remove the group from the location if the encampment is having an impact on the local community, or to Milton Keynes City Council by applying to the court for an eviction notice.

Assessment checks are made with residents of any new reported encampments, often by Milton Keynes City Council.

Thames Valley Police will attend if there are reports of crime or if the encampment is believed to be having an impact on the local community.

It is important to note that some encampments may be residing on land with the permission of the landowner. If an encampment is deemed to be unauthorised, occupants must be given sufficient opportunity move from the location before legislative powers are applied for or enforced so it can seem to be a lengthy process from report to the group moving on.

More information about unauthorised encampments on the Milton Keynes City Council website and the Thames Valley Police website.

MKFM has also heard from Ben Everitt MP who said: “Thames Valley Police are keeping me informed of the situation with the unauthorised traveller encampments and they are taking action.

“I was fully supportive of the Government strengthening the powers our police have to deal with these situations through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

“I am confident our local police force will continue to use those powers proportionately and appropriately.”

Matthew Barber, Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “Each encampment has to be taken individually. The law does not create a blanket offence and police action will depend on the impact on the wider community and the response of the landowner.

“Thames Valley Police have improved the response over the last year, but I will continue to hold the Force to action for making the right judgements in dealing with illegal encampments.

“Work with local authorities is really important and I would urge Milton Keynes City Council to sign up to the new protocol on dealing with encampments, which has been supported by the vast majority of councils across Thames Valley.”