Reform UK pledges major crackdown on illegal traveller camps | Politics | News
Reform UK has vowed to crack down on illegal traveler camps if Nigel Farage wins the next general election. The party said this would give police the power to order the evacuation of people in unauthorized camps, failing which they face fines, seizure of vehicles or arrest.
The reform would take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights, repeal the Human Rights Act and make changes to the Equality Act and planning laws in a bid to end the “two-tier” system. It will also introduce tougher penalties for fly-tipping, including increasing the maximum fine to £5,000 and confiscating vehicles for a second offence.
Zia Yusuf, home affairs spokesman for Reform England, said: “Law-abiding citizens have suffered for too long due to two-tier policing as travelers set up unauthorized camps, and fly tipping has been almost completely legalised.
“The reform will end this by ensuring victims no longer need councils to remove unauthorized encampments. Police will intervene, make arrests and seize vehicles.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “For years towns and villages across Britain have been forced to acknowledge criminality in their communities, but every measure we have used to tackle illegal mobile sites has run afoul of the ECHR.
“That’s why I have serious plans to end the power of foreign courts to overrule the will of Parliament and give our police the powers and resources they need.
“The Conservatives are the only party doing the work necessary to leave the ECHR, take back our streets and defend the rule of law. We will make Britain work again.”
