ALOK Sharma MP has launched a petition in a bid to reassure frustrated residents and crack down on traveller sites.

The Reading West politician is calling for a change in the law to make trespassing a criminal offence instead of a civil matter.

As well as meeting with members of Thames Valley Police, Mr Sharma spoke with residents and business owners who continue to be blighted by rubbish and anti-social behaviour.

Reading Borough Council spent around £95,000 on dealing with illegal traveller camps in 2017 and plans for a dedicated site have been binned in favour of a new secondary school on Richfield Avenue.

Mr Sharma said: "I am urging both councils to move more quickly to protect vulnerable sites as, we know from experience, a different set of individuals sometimes set up an illegal encampment on the same site from which earlier illegal encampments have been moved on. This makes a mockery of the system.

"I completely appreciate how frustrating it is to live near an illegal encampment, especially when this is accompanied by other anti-social activity which causes distress to law-abiding local residents.

Reading Chronicle:

"The current powers available to the police and local authorities must be applied more consistently right now to disperse these illegal encampments.

"We also need to strengthen legislation further to try and minimise the distress these illegal encampments cause in the first place.”

West Berkshire Council dealt with 22 cases of illegal encampments in May and councillors have met with police to discuss preventative measures.

It is currently a criminal offence to trespass in the Republic of Ireland and calls have come from both sides in Parliament to introduce tougher punishments.

Parts of Prospect Park and Coley Recreation Ground have continued to suffer from encampments, forcing the council to spend thousands on installing barriers at the sites.

The former Housing Minister added: "The law needs strengthening and trespass needs to be made a criminal offence.

"It will deter illegal encampments as the individuals concerned will understand they will face criminal law sanctions.”

Visit: aloksharma.co.uk/content/illegalencampments to sign the petition.