ILLEGAL travellers' camps have long been the source of many arguments, but the issues and their bearing on human rights have taken a new turn in recent weeks.

A national newspaper has launched a campaign to stamp out illegal sites and Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged to eradicate camps if his party gets into power.

But what is southern Gloucestershire already doing to protect its residents and allow gypsies to live their chosen lifestyles?

Gazette reporters Ali Dent and Keith Watson assess the powers and policies in the region.

STROUD District Council signed up to the Gloucestershire Traveller Policy in January.

It allows the authority to offer a consistent programme of measures to assess unauthorised encampments.

The council must regularly visit such encampments to address the needs of both the travellers and nearby residents, with a policy of toleration towards travellers being exercised.

If the council can provide a permanent site for travellers the county council will provide 50 percent of the capital funding to set it up. The policy also encourages privately promoted sites in accordance with planning regulations.

Enforcement action can be taken upon nuisance camps.

Reasons for such action could include inadequate sanitation, noise, dangerous dogs, danger to road users, damage to nearby property, spoiling the public's enjoyment of the area and obstructing commercial or council business.

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council recognises that there is a shortage of permanent gypsy sites in the area. It runs two authorised sites that are oversubscribed but has tolerated unauthorised encampments because of a recognised national shortage.

The council cannot move travellers off its land just because they set up camp, but each new camp is visited within 48 hours when negotiations begin to limit the length of the stay.

Residents' complaints should be made to the council as it can only move travellers on when residents are in danger or nuisance cannot be controlled. South Gloucestershire Council's policy states that it is not the authority's role to endorse or discourage travellers.

BOTH Gloucestershire Constabulary and Avon and Somerset Police will use Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to deal with any nuisance from unauthorised encampments.

Policy demands officers respect individuals' rights and their desires to live differently and any action is subject to the European Convention on Human Rights which protects people's privacy and freedom.

As part of the Gloucestershire Traveller Policy, Gloucestershire Constabulary have formulated a statement of intent for dealing with mass trespass.

It explains: "The decision whether or not to issue a direction to leave is an operational one for the police alone to take in the light of all the circumstances of the particular case."

However, the police cannot prosecute travellers for peaceful trespass on private land.

In such situations landowners are advised to seek legal advice.

AVON Travellers' Support Group says it is hopeful that policies will improve for gypsies in the next 18 months.

Secretary Ron Stainer told the Gazette: "We are expecting a big step forward and I am pretty certain Michael Howard is not going to get rid of travellers.

"To me, all he is coming up with are desperate measures to obtain a few votes." Mr Stainer claimed 80 percent of residential planning applications are approved in South Gloucestershire but 90 percent of applications for gypsy sites fail.

Stroud District Council was accused of creating a dangerous precedent when they gave planning permission to a gypsy site near Brookthorpe in February.

However, following the decision, site applicant Herbert Varey said: "We are not there to cause anyone any trouble. We just want somewhere to live."