Tories accused of ‘criminalising Gypsies and protecting illegal fox-hunting’ under crackdown on trespass

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Changes to the law on trespass, which is currently a civil offence, were signalled in the party’s general election manifesto, which pledged: “We will tackle unauthorised traveller camps.” The document outlines plans to give police new powers to arrest and seize “the property and vehicles of trespassers who set up unauthorised encampments, in order to protect our communities”. Opponents of illegal fox-hunting claim the measure would also be a backdoor way for the Tories to protect the practice, by criminalising hunt monitors and saboteurs, leaving them open to prosecution. “Increased police powers would, in effect criminalise the gypsy and traveller way of life.” The government last year launched a consultation on unauthorised encampments, including clamping down on trespass. The federation spokeswoman said criminalising trespass would be likely to breach the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act, traumatise children and consume resources on rehousing and supporting families taken off the road.