Following on from the traveller issues we faced in 2015 from illegal encampments on school and private land in Bedworth and Atherstone, I have been in correspondence with Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims, the Rt Hon Mike Penning MP.
Having worked with the schools and councils to remove the travellers, residents asked me why the process took so long and about the powers of the police and local authorities in this situation. These are the points I have been discussing with the Minister; it was completely unfair that our local schools and students faced trespassing, vandalism, littering as well as health and safety fears and I believe they deserve more protection from the law.
The Minister has since written to me outlining: ‘While trespass on land is not in itself a criminal offence, police and local authorities have a range of specific powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to direct trespassers to leave land in certain circumstances. For example, the police can direct trespassers to leave land under section 61 of the Act if they have six or more vehicles on the land, are causing damage to the land or are intimidating the landowner or tenant. The police also have powers, where there is no evidence of the above, to direct trespassers to leave to move to a suitable alternative pitch in the area. Failure to comply with a police direction, or returning to land within three months of the direction being served is a criminal offence punishable by up to three months imprisonment.’
Furthermore, Mr Penning MP goes on to say that; ‘Local authorities can also direct trespassers who are residing on land with one or more vehicles to leave under section 77 of the Act. It is an offence to fail to comply with such a direction. If the direction is not complied with the local authority can apply to a magistrates’ court for an order requiring the removal of vehicles and any occupants from the land under section 78 of the Act’.
Ultimately trespassing is morally wrong and I believe the law should come down harder on those that do, but it is encouraging that there are powers in place to move gypsies who occupy premises such as our local schools.
We received excellent news this week that there have been 5,140 apprentice starts in North Warwickshire and Bedworth since 2010. The Government has made a significant focus on apprentice creation, which are vital career stepping stones for local young people. Apprenticeships are also being more widely recognised by employers and I would like to pay tribute to our local businesses who are offering apprentice opportunities, many of whom I have been fortunate enough to visit a number of to see firsthand the great work that they do.
Apprenticeships are a vital part of our plan to deliver a more secure future for young people, which is why the Conservatives are committed to deliver 3 million more high quality apprenticeships by 2020.
On this note, the Parliamentary Group I Chair – Women and Enterprise – is urging more young women and school leavers to consider apprenticeships as they offer fantastic prospects, along with key skills, experience and earning whilst learning. I certainly encourage more young girls in our community to consider the apprenticeship route.