Council Serves Legal Notice on Chiswick Back Common Travellers
Group will be summonsed to court if they don't leave on Thursday
The encamptment near the railway embankment this Tuesday evening
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August 2, 2023
A group of what are believed to be travellers have made an unauthorised encampment in the north eastern corner of Chiswick Back Common.
Four caravans and caravanettes as well as two cars were parked near the footpath between the Rocks Lane Sports Centre and Turnham Green Terrace this Tuesday afternoon (1 August).
The footpath near the railway embankment was not obstructed and people were using it as normal. There was no police presence at the site.
The council’s neighbourhood enforcement team served the required legal notice on all the unauthorised vehicles and caravans on Wednesday morning. They have 24 hours to leave from the time of the serving of this notice and if they have not done so, by 10.45am on Thursday, they will be summonsed to court.
Previous experience has suggested encampments leave at this point but if they don’t, and if anti-social behaviour beahviour is observed, the police can evict them under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
There are other unauthorised encampments in other parts of the borough, including Gunnersbury Park where the council's team is going through the same process.
Councillor Joanna Biddolph said, "I’m very grateful to the council’s neighbourhood enforcement team for acting with such speed. I know, from having experienced other illegal encampments, how much goes on behind the scenes and at great speed. The team has been dealing with several illegal encampments across the borough at the same time making it even more complex and busy.
"I had reports from residents about anti-social behaviour (ASB) including joyriding on the common, and saw some aggressive behaviour when I walked past last night. If anyone sees any ASB, please report it to the police and ask for a CAD number so the council can build its case if it does go to court. If ASB is taking place, please call 999 otherwise call 101. One resident found that trying to report it by phone on 101 meant a long delay. You can also report it online."
Hounslow Council provides 30 pitches and facilities for Travellers and Gypsies at the Hartlands Caravan Park in Heston.
The police were given significantly enhanced powers to remove unauthorised encampments by amendments to existing legislation which came into force in June of last year.
If someone fails to leave “as soon as reasonably practicable” after being requested to, the police can arrest them. The police can also seize and remove vehicles from those suspected of this offence.
However, guidance given at a national level to police officers states, “the mere presence of a group unauthorised encampment without any aggravating factors should not normally create an expectation that police will use eviction powers.”
Residents can report illegal encampments to Hounslow Council by calling 020 8583 5555.
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