A CAMPAIGN to increase powers available to move travellers off illegal and temporary sites is being supported by MP Mark Francois.

Mr Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, has given his full support to what has become known as the Irish Option.

This involves a change in the law.

Trespass – which involves setting up on someone else’s land – is currently a civil offence meaning court orders are needed, as well as time being given for people to move on.

Currently, unless illegal camps are set up by breaking in, or other strict requirements are fulfilled the police have limited powers to move people on.

If the law is changed to a criminal offence then this would mean camps could be cleared much more quickly, although this would have other significant consequences in law.

The issue may be included in the Queen’s Speech this week.

Mr Francois said: “I am well aware how strongly my constituents feel on this subject.

“I am concerned for the human rights of my constituents, who have had to put up with these illegal incursions and the mess and the, sometimes, anti-social behaviour that they create, year after year.

“I’ve been campaigning for the law to be changed for years.

“It’s much more easy to move people on once they have trespassed.

“Far more travellers come here now over the Spring and the Summer. Travellers see the UK as a soft touch.

“The Government said they would do it. 60 MP’s replied to the consultation to change the law and the Home Office is now the lead on it. They would still need a bill to pass it.”

Kerry Smith, the deputy leader of Basildon Council, congratulated the MP on his hard work and believes that the Irish Option is simply a “step in the right direction”. The councillor for Nethermayne ward, said: “There needs to be a zero tolerance policy.

“Anything that helps handle the illegal incursions is a good thing. Police need to be given full power.

“Even if the travellers sit there and keep it spotless, they’ve broken a public order.

“It sounds like a bit of pipe dream at the moment.”

Mr Francois added: “The Irish Option would apply to any deliberate trespass.

“It would mean that travellers who turn up and illegally trespass can be removed quickly.

“Police can attend and arrest and impound vehicles. You then find that they leave very quickly.

“It would avoid the complicated court orders. It acts as a deterrent.

“It has worked in Ireland, travellers don’t stay around for long.”

“I will keep a close eye on this issue. I’m massively in favour of it.”

Andrew Schrader, Tory councillor for Billericay East, has recently written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel, along with Mark Francois, regarding the Irish Option. He said: “I’m actually quite disappointed that more didn’t come from the Government consultation. I’m not planning to drop it.”

However several traveller groups have complained not enough legal sites exist, which causes some of the problems, and councils have been told to set up more legal pitches to help.