GYPSY & TRAVELLER COMMUNITIES Policing to generate trust and confidence Inspector Mark Watson Head of Diversity Cheshire Constabulary

The Issues…  “The idealised notion of the free traditional Gypsy way of life is thus far removed from the present day reality, which is, for the majority of Travellers, a life lived within a hostile settled society, where they have little opportunity of achieving acceptable living standards”

The Issues…  “The world around them (Gypsies & Travellers) has altered so rapidly that their roving life can no longer be carried on without hardship”  A lack of formal education…“adds to their difficulties in a complex and increasingly urbanised society”

The Issues…  “…it seems likely that their primitive living conditions have in the past restricted their expectation of life…”  “Many of the powers mentioned above, are, in practice, difficult to enforce when there is nowhere the Travellers can legally go. The eviction of trespassers from council land for example, will lead to a contravention of the Highways Act if the families concerned stay on the roadside”

The Issues…  “A variety of provision is probably the best answer: housing for those who wish to be housed: permanent pitches for those waiting to be housed or who prefer site life…short stay pitches for those who travel continually from place to place…”  “There would be no need for any authority continually to spend money and effort moving families on…”

The Issues…  “Sufficient facts are now available to bring to an end the present (situation) of Travellers and the inconveniences caused for the settled population”  “It remains for more local authorities to take the action already called for by the Minister…”

The Issues…  “Very many more (sites) are urgently required if the intensification of present difficulties is not to outstrip attempts to eradicate them.”

The Issues…  All Quotes from a Government Publication…  “Gypsies and Other Travellers”…

The Issues…  Published in September, 1967…

Impact upon Cheshire  Cheshire Profile…  Encampments increasing year on year from 2000…all agency response???  2 incidents in 2003 changed everything…  April 2003 – “Slurrying” incident in Warmingham Lane, Middlewich.  May Ellesmere Port - Murder of 15 yr old Irish Traveller, Johnny Delaney

What Do We Do? Neighbourhood Policing…  Right People, Right Places, Right Numbers  Dedicated neighbourhood teams – visible and known  Intelligence-led  Joint action and problem solving with partners and the community – i.e. ALL of the community

GTLO role created…  One PC originally  Now 3 PCs for the force, one in each BCU area…  PCSOs also used as Liaison Officers

Cheshire Encampments  2005 – 259 encampments in total county-wide  In excess of 4,000 vehicles involved  Average duration? 5-7 days each  2006 – 317 encampments  How many problematic..?

Cheshire Encampments  2006 – 317 encampments in total  Then “Temporary Provision of accommodation” – Halton Area…now new Transit site  2007 – 255 encampments…  2008 – Another “Temporary Site” in Ellesmere Port…  2008 – 97 encampments…  2009 – 77 encampments…

Our Solution…  Local Authorities to be proactive in the development of new sites and encampment management  Site provision will reduce unauthorised encampments (and developments – growing issue)  If sites exist, police will be able to use Sec 62A (if required)  Much easier to “police” communities when you know who / where they are!  LAs work made much easier in same circumstances

Our Solution…  Sites will be self funding – Gypsies & Travellers will be paying appropriate local taxes for services  Community tensions reduced  Gypsy / Traveller members of Force Independent Advisory Group (IAG)  COMMUNICATION – Tell everyone what you are doing – proactive press releases and meeting attendance

ACPO Lead…  Purpose…  “To work towards developing normal community relations between Gypsies and Travellers and settled communities.”

Common Ground Police Forces Should…..  Include Gypsies and Travellers in mainstream neighbourhood policing strategies, to promote race equality and good race relations.  Policing to be done with communities, not to them. Initial PCSO advice overturned so they can engage with sites. Majority of Forces now have Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Officers.

Common Ground Police Forces Should…..  Target individual Gypsies and Travellers suspected of anti-social behaviour and crime on public, private and unauthorised sites, and not whole communities, and work with people from these groups and local authorities to develop preventive measures.  Operations target individual suspects not all residents, close relationships with NAGTO, striving to build confidence in the police.

Common Ground Police Forces Should…..  Treat Gypsies and Travellers, both when they are victims and suspects, as members of the local community, and in ways that strengthen their trust and confidence in the force.  Training in progress, historic prejudices on both sides. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month a small step forward. Actions speak louder than words.

Common Ground Police Forces Should…..  Provide training for all relevant officers on Gypsies’ and Travellers’ service needs, so that officers are able to do their jobs more effectively, & promote good relations between all groups in the community.  Training package developed by Surrey Police, launched May 2009, working to get this included in Initial Police Training. National Police Improvement Agency Guide imminent.

Common Ground Police Forces Should…..  Review formal and informal procedures for policing unauthorised encampments, to identify and eliminate potentially discriminatory practices, and ensure that the procedures promote race equality and good race relations.  Unauthorised Encampment Guidance published January 2009, minor revisions November Feedback since launch positive from Police, Gypsies and Travellers, and legal representatives.

Common Ground Police Forces Should…..  Review the way guidance is put into practice, to make sure organisations and individuals take a consistent approach, resources are used effectively and strategically, all procedures are formalised, and training needs are identified  Guidance not mandatory, but monitored through ACPO Working Group, and all indications are that it has been adopted by Forces across England and Wales.

Give me a ring… Mark Watson Inspector Head of Diversity Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters Winsford Cheshire Tel :