LOCAL councils need more powers to deal with unauthorised traveller encampments, according to East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The authority was yesterday expected to tell the police and crime commissioner that they need tougher powers to stop groups distressing and disturbing communities.

Cllr Jackie Cracknell, portfolio holder for community involvement and performance, said: “What we are experiencing is traveller groups coming into the area and trespassing on public and private land to set up unauthorised camps, knowing they cannot be quickly and easily moved on.

“To move travellers the council has to go through a lengthy and costly legal procedure. This summer alone we have had to go to the County Courts on eight occasions to seek possession of council land."

They told the PCC Matthew Grove that they need stronger powers to move groups on, and to move them out of an area entirely rather than simply further along a road.

She added: “The third action we are seeking is to strengthen police enforcement in those instances where a traveller group is known to have caused criminal damage so immediate action is taken for their removal. Only by doing this will we make it clear that criminal activity will not be tolerated."