There have been a few stop-offs by Gypsy and Traveller groups - but, then again, too few to mention

                                                   

The council believes visits by the Gypsy and Traveller community are too few to justify providing a dedicated site 

STOP-OFFS by Gypsy and Travellers are too few in North East Lincolnshire to warrant provision of a specialist site.

That is the conclusion of a report to councillors.

Says council staffer Joanne Robinson: "Although we continue to see a small number of number of unauthorised encampments, there is insufficient demand for a fixed designated stopping site."

Since September 2023, there have been five instances of Gypsy and Traveller visits.

Two of the visits involved the same group who, in September 2023, arrived at a location in Waltham (Neville Turner Way) and subsequently moved to the former Scartho Baths site. 

Ms Robinson's report states: "This group refused to engage and were abusive to staff, and a notice of direction was issued to vacate both sites. 

"The group stayed in the area for a total of seven days (three in Waltham and four in Scartho). 

"Bins were provided to both sites but, nevertheless, 850kg of fly tipping was cleared afterwards."

There have been three visits during 2024.

In July,  a large group of travellers (14 caravans) set up camp in Weelsby Woods.

An eviction order was obtained, and the group left the site the day after the order was served after staying a total of 11 nights. 

Five bins were provided to the group, and 1,200kg of fly tipping was cleared afterwards.

In the same month,  a single caravan was reported at Fisherman’s Wharf in Grimsby.

This stay was for two nights and the family moved on of their own accord before any action was taken.

Last month, Travellers were reported at Cleethorpes Boating Lake in Cleethorpes.

They stayed  for three nights, and were given a notice of direction to leave the site, leaving behind 150kg fly-tipped waste despite being provided with bins.