Traveller camp won’t be moved on until the end of June due to coronavirus

The council has said it will not be moving traveller groups on until the end of June due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration Councillor Rebecca Atkinson has explained that the Council is following Government advice after residents reported the camp to the council.

She said: “New Government guidance in response to the Covid-19 pandemic means the Council’s policy and ability to move on travelling groups has been temporarily suspended as all evictions have been put on hold until June 30.

“The Council and the police are working with the travelling groups to minimise any community impact.”

Councillor Atkinson also explained how the council deals with reports of traveller groups when they receive them.

She added: “Each year Sunderland receives a small number of travellers and the Council responds to these “unauthorised encampments” through a policy of tolerance which provides clear guidance on how encampments are to be dealt with.

“This outlines that unauthorised encampments are permitted to stay for a brief period before being moved on.

“Traveller sites should be reported to the Encampment Review Group (ERG) which is made up of the Council’s housing team, security team and the police.”

Residents can also report any concerns that they may have to the police by calling 101.

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