Sarah Dines MP has been working with the Police, the local authority, residents and local Bakewell Councillors to address the concerns of Travellers in Bakewell.
Sarah Dines MP said:
‘I have been contacted by many residents concerned about the Travellers in Bakewell and last weekend I arranged with the Police to visit Bakewell to see the situation for myself and address the concerns that residents have been raising.
The strength of feeling from residents during these times of social distancing is understandable and I do believe that this situation regarding the Travellers in Derbyshire Dales has been going on much too long. Derbyshire Dales District Council have a statutory obligation to find a permanent site for the Travellers and I urge the Council to find this site as soon as possible. They have reassured me that they are doing all they can and I have emphasised to them following my visit and seeing the situation first-hand the urgency of the situation.
In not having a permanent site, this is not only failing residents, but also the Traveller community who do not at present have a lawful site to visit.
As your MP I have made every effort to support residents during this time, including organising a visit to Bakewell with the Chief Superintendent this past weekend, spending much of the day surveying the area and pointing out areas of concerns to residents in person. I am in regular talks with the District Council and the Police regarding this matter. I am pleased that on Monday the District Council have served legal papers on Travellers currently camped in Bakewell. I am also pleased to hear reports that the numbers of Travellers at Bakewell has significantly reduced since the weekend. I shall follow the progress of the case as I have been doing and remain in regular contact with Council Officers.
As always, I urge anyone who has experienced any unlawful behaviour to contact the Police regarding this.
