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TRAVELLERS set up camp at Commercial Road in Hazel Grove.
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Vigilante fears over travellers targeting 'soft touch' Stockport
by Alex Scapens9/ 4/2008
RESIDENTS whose lives are being made a misery by travellers could resort to vigilante action, as human rights laws are preventing authorities dealing with the problem effectively.
That was the stark warning given at a Tame Valley Area Committee meeting, where it was said Stockport is seen as an "easy touch".
Members were discussing how to deal with the high number of travellers who have set up camp across the borough for the last 12 months - often causing noise nuisance, tapping electricity supplies and leaving rubbish strewn across the area.
One suggestion was to provide a designated Greater Manchester site, which would make it legally easier to move travellers on.
Councillor Chris Murphy said: "If something is not done successfully, soon someone is going to take the law into their own hands, people are starting to say we will do it our way. They have been in Stockport for 12 months and not moved on. They have not paid a penny in council tax, they are taking the mickey. Stockport has got to deal with it. They obviously must think it is an easy touch."
It was said plans to provide a framework to deal with travellers across Greater Manchester, are in the process of being finalised.
But Tom Wilson, area manager for the Council’s parks and recreation department, said human rights legislation meant Stockport Council had to be careful it did not end up in court.
He said: "We are hampered by the law. We have to protect the Council and make sure we don’t end up in court. That is part of the problem. If the level of public disorder escalates outside a reasonable level, we will formally approach the police and they can enact special powers to accelerate the process of recovery (of land)."
Police believe travellers use solicitors to seek legal advice to make their removal more difficult.
Inspector Norman Lawrence said: "They are very clever and know their rights. They are constantly questioning and consulting on the phone with their solicitors.
"It is a difficult situation. If there was an easy answer, they would have been moved on. It is more or less the same bunch of people moving around."
He added that to solve the problem, a co-ordinated effort from the police, the Council and other agencies across Greater Manchester was needed. It was said other problems included residents being bitten by dogs, generators making noise into the night and possession of potentially hazardous substances.
Coun Walter Brett said: "It is not easy with human rights but residents have human rights too."
Most recent 2 of 5 user comments
http://tinyurl.com/6a62bt
This country is way too soft because deep down,the authorities know there are still plenty of mugs who follow the rules and pay their taxes.
15/04/2008 at 21:12
Got an opinion you want to share?Should GPs have to undergo an annual test of competence?
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