A council in Kent says they have dealt with 40 incidents of unauthorised encampments on their land in the last year.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council, formally known as Shepway, have reported that they successfully moved on groups of travellers on 40 occasions between April 2017 and the end

of March this year.

It comes after news today that several caravans have moved onto county council land in Hawkinge.

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of travellers at the bottom of Spitfire Way.

"We did an assessment this morning (Monday) and there are currently seven caravans and other associated vehicle on the site.

"This land is owned by Kent County Council and we have made KCC aware of the situation."

A KCC spokesman said: "KCC was informed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council that travellers had arrived at this location. We will be checking on the situation, with officers attending later this week to conduct welfare enquiries.

"Making these enquiries is the start of the process for the use of our local governmental powers using sections 77/78 under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which will enable KCC to enforce eviction from the site.

"Meanwhile the district council and the police have been asked to update us if they are aware of any change in the situation."

A police spokesman said: "Police were notified of a traveller incursion in Spitfire Way, Hawkinge, on Sunday April 8.

"Officers have attended the site and the matter is to be addressed by the landowner."

But the district council say this kind of work is "not always as quick and easy", and want to take the opportunity to highlight the measures taken to help groups leave a council owned site.

The Folkestone and Hythe District Council said: "The powers given to local councils and the police to move travellers are discretionary. We must follow certain steps, otherwise we could be challenged in the courts.

"We cannot simply go and move travellers on. Although some of our land has specific by-laws that make it easier and quicker to move an encampment, there are still steps we must take."

The council must investigate things like the general health, welfare and children’s education, show that the encampment is on their land without consent, and demonstrate that they are mindful of human rights.

Once this has been done and it's established that there are no welfare issues, they serve a ‘Direction to Leave’ under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, requiring travellers to leave by a specified time.

If they don’t, the council ask magistrates for an Order, giving them the authority to move the group on.

When an Order is granted, the council apply for a warrant and book a bailiff while keeping travellers informed of their steps.

The council continued: "Often travellers will move on voluntarily before the bailiff arrives on site.

"If the encampment has to be moved by the bailiff, this will be done as peacefully as possible. Kent Police often accompany us to ensure that the peace is preserved."

If travellers have set up an encampment on private land, or areas owned by organisations, it is the landowner’s responsibility to take lawful steps to remove it.

When it comes to littering, the council say they need public help in identifying evidence, and will remove any dumped rubbish on their land once it has been fully investigated.

For more information, visit the Folkestone and Hythe District Council website.