Travellers setting up illegal camps on council land will avoid eviction in some parts of Kent during the coronavirus crisis.

Many local authorities in the county are following national police guidelines and choosing not to take enforcement action against those setting up unlawful encampments.

It is believed allowing travelling families to stay on suitable sites will allow them access to healthcare and reduce the potential spread of the virus.

But some councils say they will continue to break up illegal camps on their land.

Among those following the guidance is Canterbury City Council, which last year secured an injunction that enables it to move travellers off authority-owned land without first having to go to court.

But the arrival of Covid-19 has forced it to temporarily change its approach.

A spokesperson said: “The police will no longer evict travelling families from unauthorised encampments and have asked councils to allow those families to stay on suitable sites all the while the crisis continues.

“With some vulnerable people among their number, this will allow them to access healthcare and reduce the potential spread of the virus.

“There is no evidence to suggest travelling families are directly responsible for the spread of coronavirus and are just as likely to catch it as the rest of us.”

The council will provide facilities such as water, toilets and waste removal on an allocated site.

But travellers will have to adhere to a strict set of rules, prohibiting them from, among other things, going to the toilet in the open, burning rubbish or driving on footpaths.

Councils in Sevenoaks, Dover, Thanet and Tonbridge and Malling have confirmed they will also follow the national guidance and not take action against unauthorised encampments.

But other authorities have decided to ignore it, including Ashford Borough Council.

A spokesperson said: “We have no plans to relax the rules governing the use of council-owned land by travellers.

“If such incidents occur, the usual enforcement action would be taken.”

Meanwhile, local authorities in Tunbridge Wells and Gravesham have not ruled out continuing evictions and say they will assess each illegal camp on a “case-by-case” basis.

Swale Borough Council says travelling families “may be able to remain on suitable sites”.

A spokesperson said: “We are working with other local authorities and police to review each unauthorised encampment in conjunction with the latest government guidance.

“We will take welfare needs, behaviour, personal circumstances and site suitability into consideration.”

Maidstone Borough Council says it will adopt a “negotiated stopping” approach, which means evictions are not automatically pursued.

A spokesperson said: “Over the last month, we have worked to ensure our land is protected from unauthorised encampments and processes have been put in place to respond quickly to illegal activity and anti-social behaviour sometimes associated with unauthorised encampments, using a range of discretionary powers.

“The need to act will be assessed on a case-by-case basis where risk, threat and harm for the travellers and the local residents will be considered.

“Additional measures and support will be offered where a member of a travelling family presents with symptoms of Covid-19.”

Medway Council says it “will continue to follow the legislation, work with partners and use the civil legal processes available to us if needed”.

Dartford Borough Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council did not provide a response.

Kent Police says unauthorised encampments are a civil matter and the lead role for any eviction process sits with the local authority and/or the landowner.

“As is standard procedure, officers will work with these parties to assess incursions on a case-by-case basis,” a spokesman said.

“In line with national guidance, a pragmatic approach that considers social distancing measures and manages the health and safety of people living in such encampments, as well as the wider community, will be followed.

“This can include allowing unauthorised encampments to temporarily stay in place to prevent any possible spread of the virus to other areas.

“Officers still have powers to evict trespassers and these will be used should a significant threshold be met.”

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