Latest news with #GypsyandTraveller
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cumbria Police to consult on use of facial recognition at Appleby Fair
Cumbria Police will be consulting with communities on the use of facial recognition technology during the Appleby Horse Fair. The force will be gathering views from the gypsy and traveller community on whether Live Facial Recognition (LFR) cameras should be deployed at future Appleby Horse Fairs. The technology will not be used during the 2025 event. Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, gold police commander for Appleby Horse Fair, said: "Whilst we are not deploying facial recognition during the 2025 Appleby Horse Fair, I want to gauge public opinion on its potential future use. "Therefore, we want to use the opportunity of the 2025 fair to reach out to all communities impacted by the fair to gauge opinion and feeling around the proposal. "As gold commander for the Appleby Horse Fair policing operation, it is my role to look each year at how we can enhance the safety of this event. "This technology has the potential to have a profoundly positive impact on our ability to keep people safe – by quickly identifying people who are suspected of committing a crime, have travelled here despite being wanted by the police, and by helping us to safeguard vulnerable people, including missing individuals. "However, policing by consent relies on public support for such measures, which is why we are asking for the public's views on our use of this technology in future Appleby Horse Fair policing operations." Live Facial Recognition works by using cameras to scan the faces of passers-by and instantly compare them against a curated database of individuals wanted by police. The technology could be used to identify people suspected of crimes, those wanted on warrant, or individuals reported missing. Billy Welch, a Gypsy and Traveller representative and member of the Multi Agency Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), said: "As the tenant of Fair Hill, I work with police and the council to keep Appleby Fair safe and enjoyable for everyone, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. "Wherever people gather in large numbers, CCTV and security cameras have become normal, and the technology has advanced so fast that facial recognition is now a fact of life. "If Cumbria Police can use it to identify criminality and troublemakers and keep them away from the fair, then I would support it. "People who have not committed any offence have nothing to worry about. "Some people might disagree, but whatever you think about this proposal, it is important that all points of view are heard, so I encourage everyone to take part in this survey so that police can measure public opinion before the fair next year." David Allen, Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said: "As commissioner, I am the voice of the public in policing and fire services in the county, so I'm really pleased to see Cumbria Constabulary consulting with the public on their thoughts surrounding facial recognition. "I want to make it clear: this isn't a tool to spy on law-abiding members of the public. "I would like to encourage anyone at the fair and in Appleby to take part in the survey – we genuinely do want your opinions and for you to raise any concerns. "Let us work together to ensure that we can continue to keep Cumbria and Appleby Fair safe for everyone." People attending the fair, as well as those living in the area, will be able to take part in the survey. Written forms will be made available at the Tourist Information Centre in Appleby.
Leader Live
23-05-2025
- Leader Live
Plans for 'Traveller' site in Ewloe rejected for third time
A planning application was lodged earlier this year in relation to land off Church Lane at Old Aston Hill in Ewloe. The application proposed a "change of use of land to a traveller's caravan site'". It would consist of one mobile home, one touring caravan, car parking, landscaping and associated works. Similar plans were rejected by Flintshire Council in 2022 and 2024, and the latest application has also been refused. The refusal comes amid concerns over "insufficient information" that the applicants "meet the definition of Gypsies and Travellers", and that the proposal would have an "adverse impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside" - both contrary to planning policy. MORE NEWS: A planning officer's report states: "In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the application contains insufficient information and does not clearly demonstrate and evidence that the applicants meet the definition of Gypsies and Travellers as set out in the Housing (Wales) Act (section 108) and is contrary to the Flintshire Local Development Plan. "As a consequence of its location the proposed development will have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside. "The proposed development fails to accord with the guidance contained within Welsh Government publication 'Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites'."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Caravans pitch up on school playing field
A school has been forced to close off areas of its site after people illegally accessed its playing fields and pitched a number of caravans. The head teacher of Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan, in Abergele, Conwy said a "small but significant" number of people had caused criminal damage to enter the land, and legal processes have made it difficult for the police to evict them. In a letter to parents, Matt Wildsmith Pennaeth said several areas of the school would remain cornered off while it dealt with the situation, with pupils advised to stay indoors. Conwy council said it had a duty of care for the welfare of all communities and was working with the school to resolve the situation. Fines issued in crackdown on 'wild camping' Pupils sent home as travellers arrive at school 'Little progress' improving Gypsy and Traveller sites In the letter Mr Pennaeth said: "It is a great shame that our lovely school has been disrupted by this ignorant, illegal behaviour." He said the incident had the potential to take many school staff away from helping children over "the most stressful of times" as exams take place. Mr Pennarth added that he was aware the situation would be worrying for parents and carers, but would be doing all he could to ensure the students were not disadvantaged. He said he was keen to run the school with a business as usual approach, with extra measures to "further enhance security" put in place. The letter stated: No student should approach the Dinorben field or anyone camping illegally on there The front of the school including the field and astro turf would be unavailable for students during the day. PE lessons scheduled in those areas would be relocated Students should make their way indoors as soon as possible when they have arrived at school Sixth form students should keep their movements off site to a minimum and walk in groups. The head teacher also warned parents to remind pupils of the potential risks while travelling to and from school. He said "very fast-moving vehicles" driving down Faenol Avenue had been reported, so asked pupils to walk on pavements and use allocated crossings. Mr Pennaeth added that soon as they were confident that the risks to the children in the school were reduced back to the typical level, then the measures would be relaxed. He assured parents that processes were in place to ensure the group were dealt with "as swiftly as possible". Council orders travellers to pack up camp Police watchdog to review Traveller dispersal case Views sought over Gypsy and traveller site plans
South Wales Guardian
11-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
'Slow progress' on Gypsy sites criticised by Senedd members
John Griffiths raised concerns about the poor condition of council-run sites in Wales after hearing evidence of disrepair, pollution and rat infestations destroying people's lives. The Labour politician, who chairs the Senedd's housing and local government committee, led a debate on a report following two inquiries into the provision of sites. Mr Griffiths said it too often seems the needs of Gypsies and Travellers are not prioritised. 'Some described being treated as outcasts and second-class citizens,' he warned. 'Nobody should be made to feel this way; we urgently need to see improvement. 'At heart, this is a matter of human rights…. These communities are entitled to an alternative way of life, aren't they?' Conservative Laura Anne Jones was similarly concerned by slow progress on new sites, with a 'shockingly' low number of applications from councils for grants. Her Plaid Cymru counterpart Siân Gwenllian said: 'This is a very concerning situation. Although the Welsh Government has accepted the 21 recommendations from the 2022 report – very, very little true progress has been made.' Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government shares the committee's ambition to deliver the best outcomes for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Wales. She told the Senedd more than £2m was allocated to 14 councils for site improvements in 2024/25, with grant funding made available for buying land in 2025/26. Ms Hutt vowed to take action if councils fail to meet their duties on housing needs, warning: 'I will use my powers to enforce action against them if a resolution cannot be found.' The minister highlighted an ongoing consultation on non-statutory guidance for councils about managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, which was last refreshed a decade ago. Closing the debate on May 7, Mr Griffiths said: 'We don't have to look very far from here to see the reality of some, at least, local authority sites in totally inappropriate places, juxtaposed to busy roads, to industrial development, to waste disposal sites. 'To see families living in that way in this new millennium is hugely disappointing, so there's still a lot of work to be done here in Wales.'
Western Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
'Slow progress' on Gypsy sites criticised by Senedd members
John Griffiths raised concerns about the poor condition of council-run sites in Wales after hearing evidence of disrepair, pollution and rat infestations destroying people's lives. The Labour politician, who chairs the Senedd's housing and local government committee, led a debate on a report following two inquiries into the provision of sites. Mr Griffiths said it too often seems the needs of Gypsies and Travellers are not prioritised. 'Some described being treated as outcasts and second-class citizens,' he warned. 'Nobody should be made to feel this way; we urgently need to see improvement. 'At heart, this is a matter of human rights…. These communities are entitled to an alternative way of life, aren't they?' Conservative Laura Anne Jones was similarly concerned by slow progress on new sites, with a 'shockingly' low number of applications from councils for grants. Her Plaid Cymru counterpart Siân Gwenllian said: 'This is a very concerning situation. Although the Welsh Government has accepted the 21 recommendations from the 2022 report – very, very little true progress has been made.' Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government shares the committee's ambition to deliver the best outcomes for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Wales. She told the Senedd more than £2m was allocated to 14 councils for site improvements in 2024/25, with grant funding made available for buying land in 2025/26. Ms Hutt vowed to take action if councils fail to meet their duties on housing needs, warning: 'I will use my powers to enforce action against them if a resolution cannot be found.' The minister highlighted an ongoing consultation on non-statutory guidance for councils about managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, which was last refreshed a decade ago. Closing the debate on May 7, Mr Griffiths said: 'We don't have to look very far from here to see the reality of some, at least, local authority sites in totally inappropriate places, juxtaposed to busy roads, to industrial development, to waste disposal sites. 'To see families living in that way in this new millennium is hugely disappointing, so there's still a lot of work to be done here in Wales.'
