To receive additional items that the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

An item of Urgent Business was raised by the Chair on Travellers. This was raised due to the recent events that started last Friday, 24 July 2015, when travellers were moved on from the Dagenham and Barking area and made their way to Thurrock.

The Travellers first settled on the sports playing field at Lakeside and after causing much damage decided to move onto Belhus Park.

The Chair had been informed that the last of the travellers moved off Belhus Park late Monday night leaving a trail of destruction and waste on site which would cost a significant amount to clear up.

The Chair introduced Superintendent Steve Robinson and Sergeant Nick Hampson to the committee and asked for their report and to answer any questions that members may have on this subject.

Superintendent Steve Robinson thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak and outlined the events of the weekend.

Superintendent stated that on Friday 24 July, the Metropolitan Police used their powers under Section 61 to evict a large group of travellers from the Barking and Dagenham area. The Travellers continued over the border into Thurrock and took up site at the Lakeside Sports Centre where there was Police presence and the group was moved on by the Police using the powers of a Section 61.The same group or elements of the group of travellers moved onto the Belhus Park (Impulse Leisure) where 72 caravans had gathered. The Superintendent stated that at this time a Section 61 would not be issued due to reasons of bad weather and there being children and families on site.

Over the weekend a further assessment and consideration of issuing a Section 61 was undertaken. Video footage was taken of the damage which has been estimated at £10,000. It was clarified that Impulse Leisure had instructed bailiffs using common law powers. At this time five crimes had been reported and the Police were in consultation with the Council.

With notice to quit issued on Monday 27 July the encampment dispersed.

Regular checks were being undertaken to ensure that no further breaches had taken place.

The Head of Public Protection had been in communication with the Chief Executive of Impulse Leisure and can confirm that they have commenced some target hardening of that site. Earth work type hardening to make it as difficult as possible to pull caravans onto.

A discussion took place on the expectations of the Police and an explanation on the grounds of when a Section 61 could have been used. It was agreed by Members that lessons needed to be learnt from this large group of travellers, the understanding of the Section 61 and how important it was to have a Council Liaison Officer.

Councillor Tolson asked the Superintendent if the Metropolitan Police escorted the travellers over the border into Thurrock. The Superintendent stated he had no information on this at this time. He stated that when travellers moved nobody was sure where they are moving on to.

The Head of Public Protection confirmed that as Barking and Dagenham and Thurrock have shared services, he heard about the group of travellers and travelled to Barking and Dagenham to assess the situation. It was then reported back to Thurrock Council that there may be a potential risk of the travellers coming to Thurrock.

The Superintendent confirmed that he will be holding a de-brief with the Silver Commanders that attended the site throughout the weekend to ensure that a consistent message around Section 61 and ensure that Essex Police are not passive in regards to Section 61.

Councillor Tolson asked the Superintendent how the travellers gained access to the Belhus site. The Superintendent confirmed that fencing was ripped and a lower rail had been removed.

Councillor Tolson then stated that this was criminal damage and why were no arrests made. The Superintendent confirmed that no arrests were made. This decision was made by the Dog Handler, the first Police Officer on site. The Superintendent agreed with this decision as one arrest at that time would not have helped the situation.

Councillor Tolson asked if vehicle registrations were taken. The Superintendent confirmed that video footage was taken of the site and that they have descriptions of vehicles.

A Detective Sergeant has been assigned to investigate the five crimes undertaken.

Councillor Tolson stated that the police attendance was far better than the fly-tipping incident which happened earlier in the year.

Councillor Stone asked the Superintendent how many Police Officers were involved. The Superintendent stated that he did not have the exact figures to hand but significant resource were on site at all times.

The Chair stated that it was important that Essex Police and Thurrock Council learn lessons from this event and work together on solutions on how to go forward in the future as residents of Thurrock were fed up with Travellers and the fly tipping that was left for tax payers to pay for.

Councillor Pothecary thanked Councillor Jones for taking this urgent item and stated that she was surprised by the events over the weekend. Councillor Pothecary confirmed that she was in the process of looking at the current position and how the policies and procedures apply.

Councillor Pothecary asked the Superintendent if he would return to the Committee and brief the Members on the Section 61 debriefs. The Superintendent stated himself or another Police Officer would be happy to return and provide feedback.

Councillor Tolson stated that there appeared to be no headway from January 2015 meeting where Inspector Norris was invited to the Committee and that Thurrock could be seen as a soft touch.

The Superintendent stated that all crimes needed to be looked at, not just those that were carried out by the travellers but those crimes carried out at the same time by the settled community.

A member of the Public, a resident from Aveley, who has been in liaison with Police and the Council raised the question why do the Police team and Essex Police continue to choose not to enforce the Section 61 to move on these Travellers that are not welcomed by Thurrock residents. The recent encampment has had an impact on the settled community and that criminal damage was undertaken.

The Superintendent thanked the resident for her comments and that it adds to the picture of the community. He confirmed that the encampment had to have significant impact to the community and confirmed that amenities were being used generally as normally on that site over the weekend. He confirmed that the Police had to act without fear of favour and take into account the needs of the travellers and the community. The Superintendent agreed to take the residents points on board and will take into account when undertaking the de-brief. The Superintendent summed up that Section 61 was used appropriately on one site and it was not used appropriately on the other site.

Superintendent Steve Robinson, Sergeant Nick Hampson and Councillor Pothecary left the meeting at 7.45pm.