Gypsy ban plan branded 'immoral'

The five legal notices run from June to October 2005

A decision by a West Yorkshire council to create five no-go areas for travelling communities has been branded "immoral" by gypsy supporters.

Wakefield Council announced on Tuesday that it is to use powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to "combat the scourge of illegal encampments".

The move follows a number of travellers camps being set up in the district.

But the Gypsy and Traveller Exchange claims the move "tortures people already suffering desperately."

No-go areas 1. Spring Mills Playing Fields, Ossett 2. Gawthorpe Recreation Ground, Gawthorpe 3. Kettlethorpe High School Playing Fields, Kettlethorpe 4. Normanton Cricket Club, Normanton 5. Land behind Sandal Magna School, Agbrigg

Helen Jones, director of the Leeds-based support group, said: "This act was not intended to be used against gypsies and travellers.

"The problem is there's nowhere safe and legal for gypsies and travellers to go.

"This type of action makes me very angry and we are in danger of destroying precious groups of people."

The banned areas, including a cricket club and school playing fields, have been occupied by travelling communities in the past.

Police can also arrest travellers if they enter any of the five locations.

'Legal action'

The Gypsy Council said travellers should take legal action if the exclusion zones do go-ahead.

Anne Bagehot, Gypsy Council secretary, said: "I would tell them to get hold of a lawyer and take the council to court for discrimination.

"It is not the same as a nasty neighbour who kills your cat and has parties six days a week.

"Asbos are about working with somebody, under these proposals they would just be removing people."

The areas were designated following consultations between the council and police who identified the locations which had been subject to "significant and persistent invasions".

Other locations in the area are also to be looked at in the future.