News & events

Updates, information and news from London Gypsies and Travellers

Latest news

Injunctions criticised in landmark ruling

January 21, 2020

A landmark Court of Appeal judgment released today has criticised the use of wide injunctions which target Gypsy and Traveller encampments. The Court of Appeal handed down a very significant judgment, dismissing an appeal by Bromley Council against the High Court’s decision to refuse the Council’s application for an injunction against “persons unknown” stopping on public …

New LGT report on negotiated stopping in London

December 4, 2019

LGT is calling on the Greater London Authority to take the lead in adopting non-confrontational, negotiated responses to Gypsy and Traveller roadside camps. It wants a new “negotiated stopping” approach on all GLA land, and for the GLA to support London boroughs in adopting negotiated stopping approaches. The call comes as a key recommendation in …

Judges hear Bromley injunction appeal

December 2, 2019

A vital court hearing on 3rd and 4th December will examine whether local councils can go ahead with injunctions outlawing Gypsies and Travellers from stopping on open land – and criminalising a centuries-old way of life. LGT, which has mounted a legal challenge against these orders, believes the injunctions break the Equality Act and discriminate …

Mayor petitioned for new Hackney site

November 18, 2019

A small piece of land in Hackney was designated as a Travellers’ site five years ago. But despite promises from the Mayor of London, Hackney Council and London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), it’s still waiting for people to move in. Now, the Hackney Travellers Action Group has stepped in and is asking the Mayor of …

Crowdfunding for injunction legal challenge

November 13, 2019

London Gypsies and Travellers is trying to raise £8000 to help fund its legal challenge to local councils who have won injunction orders banning Gypsies and Travellers from stopping on open spaces – effectively criminalising a way of life. We believe these injunctions break the Equality Act and discriminate against Gypsies and Travellers. We are …

Traveller histories exhibition opens in Thamesmead

November 8, 2019

A new exhibition which showcases the lives and experiences of London’s oldest cultural minority, Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers, will open on the 19 November at the Information Hub in Thamesmead. London Gypsies and Travellers is working in partnership with Peabody, London’s oldest housing association, to bring the exhibition to Thamesmead. The exhibition was first …

Police powers criminalise a way of life

November 5, 2019

New government proposals giving police powers to arrest and seize the property of people on unauthorised caravan sites threaten to criminalise an ancient way of life, according to London Gypsies and Travellers. This week Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that she was launching a consultation on new proposals which will make “trespassing while setting up …

Travellers pledge to end injunctions

October 9, 2019

Gypsies, Travellers and supporters gathered on 1st October to kick off the LGT campaign against council injunctions stopping “persons unknown” from camping on public land. These “wide” injunctions mean that anyone stopping could be fined, imprisoned or have their property seized.  They threaten Gypsies’ and Travellers’ traditional way of life. Almost 40 councils in England …

LGT starts campaign against injunctions

September 24, 2019

Following the judgement that refused Bromley’s injunction against stopping on land in the Borough earlier this year, the council is appealing the decision and is supported by three other local authorities in London. London Gypsies and Travellers will continue to be involved in the appeal hearing which will take place on 3rd December at the …

Travellers challenge Haringey Council

July 22, 2019

Haringey Travellers took a deputation to Haringey Council on Monday 15th July to press for action on new sites and poor site management. The group, led by seven Haringey Travellers, included workers from London Gypsies and Travellers. Travellers are angry that the council has let their sites fall into disrepair. They have already taken action …