A FARNHAM landowner is celebrating after his campaign for a more efficient enforcement of a law to remove travellers from private land, has won the backing of police.

Barry Smith (51), who owns the field in River Lane, near the Coxbridge roundabout, has been working closely with Farnham Police to ensure a law known as "Section 61" is carried out.

This will enable police to remove travellers quickly and efficiently from private land without the need for costly, time-consuming eviction notices having to be obtained at the landowners' expense.

Mr Smith was determined to make changes after feeling "incensed and powerless" when his field was sabotaged by travellers back in June this year.

Following police advice he applied for an eviction notice at a cost of £1500, but as soon as the notice came into force the travellers moved onto a nearby field, leaving behind 15 tonnes of tarmac and destroying 1000 bales of hay.

With next year's hay crop written off and furious at the cost of ineffective enforcement orders, Mr Smith decided to take action and contacted MP Virginia Bottomley.

Mrs Bottomley wrote to Secretary of State, Stephen Byers, who confirmed that there was legislation already in place known as "Section 61" which enabled police to remove travellers immediately without asking landowners to obtain enforcement notices.

In a letter to Mrs Bottomley he wrote: "There are a range of powers available for dealing with anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder. We do believe these are adequate provided they are used effectively by local authorities and the police and provided they are underpinned by effective working strategies at local level."

Mr Smith then began to work closely with Acting Superintendent Neil Boon, determined that local police should implement the legislation more efficiently.

"It became clear the law had been there all along. What we needed was for it to be carried out properly."

Previously the problem of travellers on private land was considered the landowners' responsibility. with police assisting only if a crime was committed.

Mr Smith believes this was because, in the past, police lacked the "man power" to deal with it but he is now confident that police will be taking more responsibility.

"If a landowner approaches the police about travellers on their land, as I understand it they will no longer be advised to get enforcement notices and the police will take a more pro-active role."

Mr Smith has praised Chief Supt. Boon for his "positive support":

"Neil Boon has taken a very positive position when dealing with me and I am encouraged to believe that the problems we had in the summer will not be repeated."