A Government minister will
unveil new guidelines on the handling of gypsy encampments for police and local councils,
at a conference in Coventry.
Nick Raynsford, minister responsible for itinerants, will reveal his proposals at the
inaugural conference of the National Association of Gypsy and Traveller Officers at
Coventry City's football stadium.
NAGTO was formed last year to bring together local government officers dealing directly
with gypsy encampments on unauthorised sites.
Brian Camfield, Coventry City Council's environmental health manager said:
"We have frequent visits from travellers who set up on unauthorised sites.
"What we have is two different cultures - the travellers and those of the settled
community, and the two cultures clash."
The Government guidelines are a joint publication by the Home Office and the Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, based on a project by Birmingham
University.
