The Government is planning to bring in new harsh laws for nomadic people. Today, Friends, Families and Travellers launch a new tool which will support Gypsies, Travellers and members of the public to write to their MP, registering their concerns about the Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
There is a significant national shortage of places for nomadic Gypsies and Travellers to legally and safely stop. However, the Government is planning to bring in new laws which mean people who live on roadside camps could face time in prison, a £2500 fine or their home being taken from them.
While the Government says that the laws are meant to target only a small number of people who engage in anti-social behaviour on roadside camps, in reality, the proposals are widely open to interpretation and are likely to impact upon everyone who is or wishes to live nomadically – by culture, choice or necessity.
Everybody needs a place to live. It should not be a crime to have nowhere to go.
Use our quick and easy tool to email your MP today.
Â
Notes for Editor              Â
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
Media Contact
Lucy Hetherington, Communications Officer
Tel: 07425 419853 Email:Â lucy@gypsy-traveller.org
Useful resources
‘Briefing on new police powers for encampments in Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill: Part 4’. Friends, Families and Travellers. 24th March 2021. View here.
‘Legal Briefing on Proposals to Criminalise Trespass’. The Community Law Partnership. View here.
