Council trials out of hours service for reporting unauthorised encampments

24 February 2025

North Northamptonshire Council are undertaking a trial of an out of hours service to attend to reports of unauthorised encampments within the local area.

Unauthorised encampments are temporary accommodation, such as caravans and other vehicles or tents, on land without the landowner or occupier’s consent and constituting trespass. Residents can now report unauthorised encampments on council-owned or managed land outside of the council’s normal (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) working hours.

The trial is being managed by the Northamptonshire Traveller Unit (NTU) and uses the services of a contractor.

Out of hours, any unauthorised encampments that are reported will be attended. The contractor will then conduct a full assessment, including statutory health and welfare checks on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council. This will enable the NTU to make a prompt decision on how to manage the encampment the next working day. This will also allow the NTU to refer or signpost any occupants requiring health or welfare support to partner agencies more quickly.

The NTU work extremely hard during normal working hours, alongside partners, to provide a one-stop point of access for the public, businesses and agencies and occupants of encampments across North Northants.

This trial will, hopefully, allowing the team to work quicker to resolve any issues that might come through out of hours and reduce the problems typically associated with encampments.Cllr David Howes, the council’s Executive Member for Rural Communities and Localism

As a council, we have a duty to consider the needs of all residents, both temporary and permanent, and in this case, it means the NTU balancing the needs of the occupants of the encampment with the impact on the surrounding area. Officers always consider a variety of factors and removing an encampment is always seen as a necessary last resort.Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

The out of hours service is currently being trialled between the hours of 5pm and 8pm on weekdays, and between 08:40am and 5pm during weekends and Bank Holidays.

For more details of the service and how to report unauthorised encampments, please visit the Northamptonshire Traveller Unit (NTU) page.