Residents may have seen reports at the weekend that following a consultation last year the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Priti Patel is set to give new powers to the Police to deal with Unauthorised Traveller Encampments.

Unauthorised Encampments have too often caused distress to some of our communities locally, and have left our local Council to face the task and cost of clear up.  In response to this, and following the concerns raised with me since becoming the Member of Parliament for Aldridge-Brownhills, I have been calling for a strengthening in the law to deal with Unauthorised Encampments.  I therefore look forward to seeing the results of the consultation and would welcome any proposed new powers to tackle this issue.

I have always believed that whilst the rights of travellers should be respected, with rights come responsibilities too.