Number of gypsy caravans in Britain surges by a THIRD in just a decade
THERE are now 20,000 gypsy caravans in Britain after the number rocketed by more than a third in just a decade.
The number of gypsy caravans has risen by a third in ten years
Official figures show that an extra 604 trailers were set up last year, with 10 per cent of all traveller homes occupying "unauthorised" sites.
The Tories have promised tough new rules to deal with illegal gypsy encampments in the wake of a series of high-profile controversies.
Travellers will soon have to prove their nomadic lifestyle by demonstrating they have been on the move for two months of every year to qualify for help in the planning system.
New measures to boost the authorities' powers to deal with traveller camps are also thought to include appointing specialist magistrates who can order evictions 24 hours, seven days a week, and toughening up guidance given to the police.
Violence broke out during the eviction of travellers at Dale Farm in Essex in 2011
The statistics, compiled by the Home Office, reveal that the total number of gypsy caravans in Britain reached 20,123 in January, up by 28 per cent since 2006.
However, they also reveal that more than half of those are now located on authorised sites, a sharp rise on 10 years ago.
A series of high-profile controversies has surrounded the setting up of illegal traveller camps in the last few years.
There were violent scenes as police stormed the camp, which had been barricaded up by travellers refusing to leave.
Officers arrested 43 people and removed 80 families from the site, which had blighted nearby neighbours for decades, during a £7.1m eviction operation.
The illegal camp was Britain's largest and was dismantled following a 10 year legal battle
More than a dozen caravans arrived at the 37 acre graveyard, in Brighton, where sombre funeral services are held for Muslims, Quakers and other denominations.
Earlier this month shocking images emerged showing the filthy aftermath of the "largest gathering of travellers" in the UK, which left a picturesque market town covered in rubbish.