HUNDREDS of traveller caravans were pitched on sites in and around Southampton last summer, but most were not on unauthorised sites new figures have shown.

Data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows there were 21 traveller caravans in the area in July 2021 – down from 47 in July 2019, when the last summer count took place.

But of those counted in the summer, none were on unauthorised pitches.

There were 36 spaces for caravans at local authority and privately owned sites across the city at the time.

This comes as hundreds more were pitched on authorised sites across the area including 23 in Test Valley and 57 in the New Forest.

Meanwhile, a total of 140 were pitched in Winchester, but 87 of these were on unauthorised spots and 30 were pitched in Eastleigh, with just four on unauthorised patches.

Councillor Steven Galton, Cabinet Member for Environment at Southampton City Council said: “There is a legal right to lead a nomadic existence. In Southampton we provide one authorised, fixed site and this is sufficient to meet the current needs of travelling communities in our city.”

But the data comes as new legislation could be set to threaten the nomadic traditions of Gypsies and traveller communities by criminalising unauthorised encampments.

Currently passing through Parliament, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would see police given greater powers to tackle such encampments, including the right to seize vehicles and impose heavy fines.

Cllr Galton added: “Additional powers to tackle illegal encampments will help to ensure all law abiding communities can live together respectfully.”

“As a council, we do have a duty to manage unauthorised illegal encampments and we have carried out a lot of work to secure our open spaces to prevent as far as possible unauthorised encampments.

“Illegal incursions can cause a great deal of harm in our local communities. We must all abide by the same rules and laws, whilst living the lives we choose.”

From April this year to date, the authority says it has dealt with 17 incidents of unauthorised encampments in the city.

Chief Inspector Robert Mitchell, Hampshire Constabulary’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller lead, said: “Hampshire Constabulary will always ensure that we balance the needs and rights of all our communities with actions that are proportionate, lawful and necessary.

“For a number of years we have utilised guidance from the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to manage unauthorised encampments. This is always done in partnership with the actual land owners which are usually local authorities.

“With the expected legislation changes within the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill we continue to work with the NPCC on updated national guidance on how to manage the impact of future unauthorised encampments, alongside our partners, again always ensuring that we’re balancing the needs and rights of all of our communities with actions that are proportionate, lawful and necessary.”