THE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Surrey, David Munro, has stepped up his calls for action on unauthorised traveller encampments - appealing directly to the Government to address the issue in Surrey and across the country.

The PCC has now written to the Home Secretary and the Secretaries of State for the Ministry of Justice and Department for Communities and Local Government asking them to lead the way in commissioning a wide-ranging and detailed report on this issue.

This year there has been an unprecedented number of unauthorised encampments across the country causing considerable strain on police resources, increased community tensions in some areas and associated clean-up costs.

Waverley Borough Council was forced to evict travellers from a six council-owned sites in Farnham alone in July, at considerable expense to the taxpayer.

In his letter, Mr Munro calls on the Government to examine a number of key areas including: a better understanding of traveller movements, improved co-operation and a more consistent approach between police forces and local government and a renewed drive to make greater provision for transit sites.

The PCC, who is also a former Farnham councillor and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) national lead for Equalities, Diversity and Human Rights, said: “Unauthorised encampments not only put significant pressure on police and partner agencies, but they can also cause heightened community tensions and resentment.

“While it is only a minority that cause negativity and disruption, the whole gypsies, Roma and travellers community is too often victimised and can suffer widespread discrimination as a result.

“To tackle this complex issue, we need to work together – we need a nationally coordinated approach and must use collective powers to address these unauthorised encampments while offering alternative measures to support everyone’s needs and chosen living arrangements.

“I’ve consulted informally with my PCC colleagues and they’re also keen for a joined-up approach to tackle the management and root causes of these encampments.

“I’m keen that we do not lose sight of the law and our primary aim remains safeguarding vulnerable people.

“Among other reasons, unauthorised encampments are often a result of insufficient supply of permanent or transit pitches. Therefore my call to government is to seriously address these challenging issues and carefully examine what can be done to provide a better solution for all communities.”