GYPSIES and travellers who set up illegal camps in the district will face firm but fair treatment, Bradford Council chiefs have warned as they obtained court warrants to clear two such sites.

Last year there were 26 illegal encampments across the district and concerns have been raised over how to deal with those travellers who refuse to comply with regulations.

It has emerged that when members of a group responsible for most of those illegal sites in 2014 was moved to the Council-run permanent site at Esholt, they refused to sign tenancy agreements, to obey site rules and even to use the toilets provided.

Instead the travellers chose to use open land around the wash blocks, said the Council's executive member of housing and planning, Councillor Val Slater.

"Because at first they refused to apply for tenancy, we could not allow them to use the toilet blocks as Esholt is a permanent site and so is a form of social housing," said Cllr Slater.

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"People allowed to move on have to be judged to be acceptable tenants. So portable loos were provided and running water, but for more than a week they refused to use them."

But when the Council applied to civil courts regarding an eviction notice for the new arrivals, it found there was a grey area in the law, said Ruth Lees, Bradford principal environmental health manager.

Because the travellers had been directed specifically to Esholt by police using a Section 62 order, enacted after advice from the Council, it emerged there was a question over whether they had set up camp of their own free will and could be ordered to sign up as tenants.

"We were advised to go back and look at our procedures again," said Miss Lees.

"One thing is we don't have any transit sites for travellers in Bradford and I'm not aware of any authorities that do."

However after months of work by liaison officers, those two caravans are now legitimate fixtures at Esholt with rents being paid.

"There does appear to be a loophole in legislation which needs closing," Cllr Slater said.

"Last year was a very unusual year when we had 26 illegal sites, compared to the average of ten and it was that one group who were responsible for that increase.

"We always try not to criminalise these groups and will usually regain possession of public land using a section 55 order through the civil courts.

"That's what we've done to get warrants to remove travellers from Esholt car park and also Healey Lane, Bingley. And we will do that again whenever we have to."

Cllr Slater said gypsies and travellers were legally a protected group - whether people liked it or not.

"And I know a lot of residents don't like it at all.

"Some people would like to somehow just make them go away, but of course that is not possible.

"Last year was exceptional due to this one group who moved form one illegal site to another around the district.

"Hopefully we will not have similar problems this year and one reason we have developed a joint protocol with police is to clarify how we will act together effectively," she said.