It is abundantly clear that something is wrong when groups of travellers can be evicted from one unauthorised site only to turn up, almost immediately, at another nearby, requiring the whole legal process to begin again.

Yet that is what has been happening over recent weeks across the district, tying up a disproportionate amount of council officers’ time and having a detrimental impact on neighbourhoods.

On top of that, departing travellers can sometimes leave a mess behind which needs cleaning up – the cost usually being met by council-tax payers.

Of course there are many, many travellers who do not behave in such a fashion. Indeed, their good name suffers because of those who behave irresponsibly – another reason why this situation should not be allowed to fester.

There is, however, a shortage of official travellers’ sites across the country – with almost 100 more pitches needed throughout Yorkshire alone.

Surely this whole situation is one which could be addressed without too much difficulty or cost.

Better legislation is needed to allow illegal camps to be tackled more quickly – it usually takes around five days – and more official sites for travellers could be provided.

The one-off expense of creating new sites would be worth it as it would give those travellers who fail to comply no excuse to occupy unauthorised sites and would allow the law to be toughened to put an end to this ridiculous cat-and-mouse game.