PCC led round table agrees timetable for joint protocol for unlawful encampments

The meeting was the next step in developing a shared process and shared protocol that the Deputy Police and Crime Commissoner, Jane Gardner, Essex Police, representatives from district councils and Essex County Traveller Unit have been working on since the first round table meeting in September 2016. The final protocol is expected to be published in May 2017.

Roger Hirst, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Creating a shared understanding of how we can manage unlawful encampments is an important step forward in providing a systematic and fair approach across Essex. We know that unlawful encampments can cause significant distress so it is important that we offer a clear and consistent picture of how these will be handled.

“These are difficult issues to manage both from a police perspective and a council perspective and I would like to thank all of the councils across Essex for participating in the process and seeing the benefits of securing a joint approach.

Last weeks’ meeting was very positive and significant feedback was discussed that will be incorporated into the final protocol which will be circulated prior to publication in May.

Mr Hirst added: “In a complex situation no one group can get all that they want but by developing a shared understanding that is acceptable for all of the parties involved we can create something that works for everybody. Working together in a consistent way we can achieve more.