Hollybush is much loved and used by all of us, especially families, so I know how concerning the last week’s illegal traveller encampment was for everyone.
As well as occupying the land, there were also sadly cases of local children being intimidated, as well as theft, violence and antisocial behaviour directed at the Hollybush café which led to it having to close.
This is totally unacceptable.
At the end of last week, I popped into the café to meet with owner John Heuerman, manager Gerry, assistant Katie to see how the team were doing.
What was truly humbling was the way the team acted throughout to protect their customers, particularly the children there. They are a wonderful asset to our community and deserve all our support, so if you have time to stop in for a cup of tea, please do.
I would also like to say a huge thank you to the residents who helped clear up the mess that was left, as well as to Kent Police and Sevenoaks District Council for their prompt and effective action that enabled a Section 61 Notice to be served and move the individuals on.
When I first became your MP in 2019 there were several local cases of illegal and unauthorised encampments. And, what became apparent to me was the limitations of the previous powers of enforcement. At the time, to trespass was only a civil offence. This meant landowners or local councils would have to get a court order to evict people who set up camps on private or public land, and the police were unable to order people to move on without a further crime being committed.
As part of my four-point plan to tackle antisocial behaviour in our local community, I campaigned for action to be taken so the police could challenge and remove unauthorised traveller sites as quickly as possible. I was so pleased when we passed legislation las year to make this the case.
It is clear, following both the recent incursion in Swanley and now this one in Sevenoaks, that the new powers provided by the Government to the Police through The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 are working – given that the last time Hollybush experienced a similar encampment it took around 3 weeks to remove them, and this time they were removed just over 24 hours after they arrived.
It is a shame that when the Bill was passing through Parliament, that both the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party consistently voted against it. However, I hope on reflection they realise this was now a mistake.
It is not acceptable to trespass on land and I am pleased this Conservative Government has introduced both a faster process to ensure removal, as well as harsher penalties for those who do not comply.
