Overview
Report an unauthorised encampment
Reported encampments
Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames - 25 July
Following a report of an unauthorised encampment on Waterside Drive, Surrey County Council will shortly be carrying out an assessment required under the legal protocol for dealing with unauthorised encampments.
The Council will then assess whether to serve them with a Notice of Direction to leave under Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
If they do not leave in compliance with this Notice, the Council will seek a removal order from the Magistrates Court.
Further updates will be made after this time.
In most instances, the issues arising from the unauthorised encampment for the community are minimal. Surrey Police are aware of the unauthorised encampment and will continue to monitor it with the Joint Enforcement Team*. Guidance on when to call the police regarding an unauthorised encampment, together with more information, can be found on Surrey Police: Unauthorised encampments and you. If you need to report an incident (ASB or crime) please call 101 or report an emergency on 999 or report antisocial behaviour through our website.
*a group made up of local partner agencies including Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council
Nomadic life
Nomadic life is not illegal, and Gypsy, Roma, travellers have a basic right to this way of life. It's the aim of Elmbridge Borough Council to ensure all its residents, whether living in settled or transitory communities, are treated equally and with respect. We also recognise that this has to be balanced with the rights of the general public to enjoy private and public land.
We are obliged to manage unauthorised encampments within the borough on council-owned land. It is not always possible to stop all access and from time to time unauthorised encampments are established.
For more information about unauthorised encampments, see Surrey Police: Unauthorised encampments and you.