1    The Code of Practice is an agreement between the following parties aimed at managing unauthorised encampments by Travellers:

2    The basic message of the Code is that any stay on land is limited in time and is dependent on Travellers complying with the Code, by keeping groups small and causing no problems

3    Failure to comply is likely to result in action to move on the Travellers being taken either by the Local Authority concerned or the Police

4    The Local Authorities' policy is in line with the requirements of the Department of the Environment Guidelines, Circular 18/94 and more recently the Guidelines of the DETR and the Home Office entitled "Managing Unauthorised Camping - a Good Practice Guide"

5    Decisions by the Local Authority, as to whether or not, to take immediate action, through the courts, to evict Travellers, are made having regard to its public duties and its duties under the Human Rights Act 1998, the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.  

6    The Code applies to all land in the aforementioned Local Authorities' ownership or control, including highway land

1    The Code applies to all encampments by Travellers who have a nomadic lifestyle for all or part of the year.

2    Any stay on land will depend on the co-operation of the Travellers.

3    The Local Authority will also give consideration to the welfare and social needs of the Travellers.

4    The above relates to unauthorised encampments where criminal activity is not involved. Where there is suspicion of criminal activity, the Police should be notified on 0116 222 2222 or 999 in an emergency, in order for appropriate action to be taken.

Incidents of illegal waste activities, such as the dumping and burning of rubbish, can be dealt with either by the Local Authority or the Environment Agency, as both parties have similar powers. The Environment Agency is contactable through their Regional Communications Centre on

The section of the Local Authority you need to contact is the Environmental Health Department of the District Council in whose area the incident was witnessed. The telephone numbers are listed below. The Local Authorities liaise closely with the Environment Agency so the incident will be passed to the more relevant body, whichever is first contacted. The information that is needed to enable any further action to be taken includes:

Information in relation to an offence cannot be used as evidence unless you are willing to make a witness statement, which could involve you appearing as a witness in Court. Problems relating to noise and other nuisance complaints can be dealt with by the Environmental Health Department of the relevant Local Authority

Blaby District Council
Main Number                                    0116 2750555
Environmental Health Dept No            0116 2727554

Charnwood Borough Council
Main Number                                     01509 263151
Environmental Health Dept No.            01509 634641

Harborough District Council
Main Number                                     01858 821100
Environmental Health Dept No             01858 821174

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Main Number                                     01455 238 141
Environmental Health Dept No.            01455 255 644  

Leicester City Council
Main Number                                     0116 254 9922
Environmental Health Dept No             0116 252 7001

Melton Borough Council
Main Number                                      01664 502502
Environmental Health Dept No.             01664 502393

North West Leicestershire District Counci
Main Number                                      01530 454545
Environmental Health Dept No              01530 454564

Oadby & Wigston Borough Council
Main Number                                      0116 2888961
Environmental Health Dept No.             0116 2572601

Rutland County Council District Council
(Customer Service)                              01572 722577

The County Council's Travellers Sites and Liaison Officer is based at County Hall.

Should you have any concerns regarding matters arising on County Council land, please contact him direct.

The City Council's Traveller & Gypsy Liaison Officer is based at New Walk Centre, A Block, in Leicester

Should you have any concerns regarding matters arising on City Council land, please contact her direct.

For matters arising on other Local Authority land, please contact the relevant Local District Council / Unitary Authority.