A COUNCIL has updated its strategy for tackling illegal travellers’ encampments.

First drawn up in 2015, the protocol outlines how Blackburn with Darwen Borough can use its legal powers to evict groups from land it owns or controls and support landowners to to the same when the site is privately owned.

It sets out when and where police can be called in and when to use magistrates and when to use the county court to secure eviction orders.

A report to senior councillors says: “The protocol has not resolved the whole issue of illegal encampments but it has assisted in reducing workloads and speeding up the process.

“It commences immediately upon notification of an encampment and covers all actions required.”

The item before tomorrow’s Blackburn with Darwen Council Executive Board says: “Since 2011/12 Pennine Lancashire has experienced a sharp rise in unauthorised encampments. “This has resulted in significant cost to local authorities and other resources, for example policing.”