CALLS for temporary stopping places for travellers in Surrey have been made by police and crime commissioner David Munro in the wake of a fresh succession of unauthorised encampments in Farnham.

When four caravans arrived in Central car park last Tuesday, occupants were served with a court summons. But no legal action was required as the site was vacated by 8pm next day.

There had previously been an illegal incursion on May 24, when as many as 12 caravans and other vehicles flooded into Upper Hart car park, before leaving on May 26 around 6pm.

These recent encampments come just months after Waverley Borough Council began installing height restriction barriers as a response to traveller incursions last year. The barriers were being installed in the Waggon Yard, St James and Upper Hart car parks, sparking controversy amongst local residents and Farnham Town Councillors after a lack of consultation. In March, Waverley announced that the barriers in Waggon Yard would be removed, while works in the other car parks were put on hold.

The Herald requested an update on the barriers from Waverley, but had not received a response when the paper went to print.

Over the last few weeks, Mr Munro has been in regular contact with Surrey Police and other local councils which have also been dealing with encampments. The use of transit sites with proper facilities have proved successful in other areas of the country, however there are currently none in Surrey.

The police and crime commissioner has now submitted a response to a government consultation on unauthorised encampments calling for the shortage of transit sites and lack of accommodation provision to be urgently addressed.

The joint response has been sent on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and gives views on issues such as police powers, community relations and working with local authorities.

Mr Munro, a former Farnham councillor, said he met last year with various borough council leaders and wrote to the chair of the Surrey Leaders Group regarding transit sites but has been frustrated by the lack of progress. He is now writing to all MPs and council leaders in Surrey to ask for their support in the urgent provision of sites.

He said: “The provision of these sites, while not a complete solution, would do much to provide that careful balance which is so important between lessening the impact on settled communities and meeting the needs of the traveller communities. They will also give the police extra powers to direct those in unauthorised encampments to a designated place.

“What we must not allow is any heightened tensions created by unauthorised encampments to be used as an excuse for intolerance, discrimination or hate crime towards the gypsy, roma and travellers community.

"As the national APCC lead for equality, diversity and human Rights issues, I am committed to helping challenge misconceptions around the gypsy, roma and travellers community and seeking a longer-term solution that will benefit all communities.”

Read the full submission at tinyurl.com/yaen8u6o.