Gypsies cost taxpayers thousands

Councils could save tax payers thousands of pounds a year if they do more to tackle gypsies, according to Government Communities Secretary John Denham.

Rochdale has had numerous problems with travellers over recent years and earlier this week Rochdale Online broke the news that gypsies had moved to a site on Gypsy Lane. Gypsies have also set up camp at the derelict land between Drake Street and Oldham Road.

Mr Denham believes councils could save taxpayers thousands of pounds a year and help reduce community tensions if they showed more leadership when it comes to tackling unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments. He thinks they must make far better use of the enforcement powers they already have and also do better when it comes to identifying suitable locations that can be used as authorised Gypsy and traveller sites.

Mr Denham said: “It's time that councils started to show proper leadership on this issue and stop hiding behind excuses for inaction. The Government has put funding in place for local authorities to provide new authorised sites and an effective enforcement framework that gives them the tools to tackle unauthorised developments. Now local authorities must make rapid progress on making full use of these powers whenever they are needed."