HOUNSLOW Council has pledged to continue to tackle illegal encampments throughout the borough.

This comes after an injunction to stop illegal encampments on council-owned land recently came to an end after a High Court hearing ruled that this type of injunction was not permissible.

In recent weeks, there have been two large scale illegal Traveller encampments in neighbouring boroughs, first on Kew Green and then on Ealing Common.

Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency, said: "Hounslow Council continues to have a duty to protect the borough's public spaces and parks so that they can be enjoyed by all our residents.

"Illegal encampments can cause damage to public spaces as well as disruption and upset to residents and businesses nearby.

"Working in partnership with the police, we will continue to use the enforcement powers available to us to protect our public spaces and best serve the needs of the community as a whole.

"We have a good record of tackling and preventing illegal encampments and we thank residents for continuing to report these as they arise.

"We are also committed to opposing discrimination of all types against all members of our communities, including Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, irrespective of ethnicity, culture or background.

"That is why we have been active in using available powers in housing and planning to provide for the needs of these communities.

"In 2016 we completed an investment of over £10million to modernise our award-winning Hartlands Caravan Park, which made available 30 new pitches and high-quality facilities exclusively for the use of the Gypsy and Traveller community.

"I'm proud too that in December 2020 we submitted plans to the Secretary of State which, if approved, will allow us to expand our provision further."

Residents can report illegal encampments to Hounslow Council by calling 020 8583 5555.