Responding to complaints from Shepton Mallet residents about the illegal travellers encampment, James Heappey has spoke with enforcement officers at Mendip District Council and with the Police commander for the Shepton Mallet area. After hearing about plans for moving the travellers on from the site and for policing any disruption that appears to be a result of their presence, Mr Heappey said:
"Mendip District Council have already attempted to remove the travellers from the site but the group refused to leave thus requiring Mendip to take the matter to court. I understand that this is progressing quickly and a court date should be set in the very near future. Experience elsewhere suggests that the travellers will move before that date.
"I have also spoken to Inspector Mark Nicholson who commands the police in the Shepton Mallet area. He has directed that there should be a greater police presence in the area to reassure residents and to deter any further alleged disturbances like those being raised on social media in the town. He has, however, asked the public to make sure that they report incidents so that his officers can respond.
"It continues to frustrate that councils and the police must spend so much money and waste so much time trying to move on those who are blatantly trespassing on private property. I will continue my work in Parliament to make sure that the laws around encampments are fairer for the landowners rather than being stacked in favour of the traveller."