Travellers
Travellers Campaign
Alok launched a survey for local residents in Theale in 2007 following several incidents involving illegal encampments by the traveller commmunity.
150 households responded to the survey with the following key findings:
- 87% felt their personal safety and private property threatened
- 94% want an urgent review of laws introduced by the current Government which appear to give more protection to the rights of those involved in illegal activity than the rights of law abiding citizens
- 94% thought it very important that the authorities find a lsating solution to restrict unauthorised encampments.
Alok said: "I have had detailed discussions about the findings of the survey with senior police officers and local councillors. We do need to provide somewhere for travellers to stop, away from local residents, but to maintain public confidence tough and immediate action needs to be taken against those who break the law.
I have also made it clear to the local police that this summer we need to have in place an effective plan to deal quickly with illegal encampments and to make sure that the affected local community is kept fully informed of developments."
Press Releases
- 10th December 2007