English people have very contradictory views about Gypsies and Travellers. On the one hand some are very pleased to employ them, trade with them and use their services. On the other hand they are appalled at the prospect of them setting up their mobile homes anywhere nearby for fear, whether real or not, of crime and anti-social behaviour. This dichotomy is at the centre of the way Gypsies and Travellers have been treated in England over the last 50 years. Whereas once Gypsies and Travellers tended to move in small groups, because of public hostility to their encampments, they have tended in recent years to move in larger groups - and this often aggravates the problems, particularly where use illegal sites. This report assesses the extent of the problems faced both by Gypsies and Travellers and the settled community, and suggests ways to reduce the conflict, misery and nuisance now being caused.
  
During the course of this inquiry, it became quite clear to the Committee that the data available on the numbers of Gypsies and Travellers, the proportion that are regular Travellers rather than generally settled on sites, and the interest of the travelling community in permanent homes as an alternative to travelling, was markedly lacking. We are painfully aware that the Committee's recommendations and the Government's approach are made in a situation of a considerable lack of knowledge. We therefore pre-empt our recommendations with the request that a detailed study of the situation be undertaken on behalf of the ODPM so that changes have the benefit of knowledge.
  
The most important issue we tackle is the lack of sites available to Gypsies and Travellers. Over 3500 Gypsies and Travellers, 20% of the travelling community, have no legal place where they can stop their caravan. This situation is unlikely to change without some form of Government intervention. We recommend that the Government re-introduce a statutory requirement for local authorities to provide sites for accommodation of Gypsies and Travellers in their areas. The duty should be imposed on all local authorities based on an assessment of need at regional level. The Government should establish a Gypsy and Traveller Taskforce to identify potential sites and ensure site vacancies are co-ordinated across the country and in regions and counties as appropriate. We recommend that a capital grant is provided to ensure local authorities are able to develop new sites.
  
Most illegal encampments stem from a lack of legal places for Gypsies and Travellers to stop. We have received evidence from organisations and individuals highlighting the anger they feel when groups of Gypsies and Travellers camp illegally on land which they do not own. The settled community are frustrated that Gypsies and Travellers establish encampments regardless of the availability of sites. It can be a long and difficult process, entailing huge expense, to move people on. If more sites were available, a proportion of the Gypsy and Traveller community would utilise these sites and recognise that illegal encampments would not be accepted nor tolerated. The police would then be able to use their powers to move on any illegal campers much more quickly.
  
It is important to remember that Gypsy/Traveller sites are residential and should be located only in areas considered appropriate for general residential use. We recommend that sites should be within realistic access of services and allow interaction between the Gypsy/Traveller and settled communities. All sites should be proportionate to the size of the community in which they are placed and when planning permission is given for a site, a cap should be placed on the number of people who are allowed to live on it, whilst allowing some flexibility for natural increase. The number of long-term visitors on a site should be controlled by planning powers and enforced by the site manager. The current guidelines relating to site design and standards must be updated in the light of modern space standards and services, health and safety provisions and requirements for catering for disability.
  
Effective site management is key to the success of a Gypsy and Traveller site. There is no real consensus as to whether a particular management arrangement works better than any other. Some believe that Gypsies and Travellers make better managers because they understand the culture of the residents, but others argue that Gypsy and Traveller managed sites operate harsher management regimes and selective lettings policies. Whichever management approach is adopted, regular site presence by the manager is vital. Site management should be firm, fair and consistent, treating all residents equally and taking action early if residents break site licence agreements.
  
The relationship between the police and the travelling community has not always been easy, however tackling anti-social behaviour within the Gypsy and Traveller community will require building of trust between these groups and improved communication. Without support from the travelling community, the police are unable to clamp down on the unruly and disruptive. Witnesses to incidents must be prepared to come forward and testify. The proposed police national intelligence system, 'IMPACT' will be a useful tool in tracking and dealing with anti-social behaviour in the Gypsy and Traveller community. We recommend the Government use the proposed Gypsy and Traveller Taskforce to identify other ways in which anti-social behaviour within the travelling community can be addressed.