Current unauthorised camp sites in Merton
Details of any unauthorised encampments will be listed here when we become aware of them.
Report a site
If you would like to report an unauthorised site please contact us:
Report an unauthorised site
or contact Merton Police on 020 8721 2742 or 020 8649 3576.
High Court injunction 12 December 2018
On 12 December 2018 the High Court granted Merton Council an Interim Injunction Order lasting 3 months forbidding Persons Unknown Occupying Land or Depositing Waste from:
- setting up an encampment on any land identified on the attached Map and listed on Schedule A on the 56 sites listed, without written permission from the local planning authority, or planning permission granted by a planning inspector;
- Entering or occupying any part of the land for residential purposes (temporary or otherwise) identified on the attached Map and listed on Schedule A, including caravans, mobile homes, vehicles, and residential paraphernalia;
- Bringing on to the land identified on the attached Map and listed on Schedule A stationing on the land any caravans or mobile homes other than if driving through the London Borough of Merton or in compliance with the parking orders regulating the use of car parks or with express permission from the owners of the land.
- Bringing on to the land identified on the attached map and listed on Schedule A, any vehicle whether for the purposes of disposal of waste and materials or otherwise, other than when driving through the borough of Merton or in compliance with the parking orders regulating the use of car parks or with express permission from the owners of the land.
The land in this order means all land within the London Borough of Merton identified on the attached Map and listed on Schedule A.
The interim injunction order contains a penal notice which means anyone breaching it may be held in contempt of court and may be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized. The interim injunction order remains in force until midnight on 14 March 2019.
The interim injunction order, claim form, application and evidence in support are also accessible via the links below. Any person who wishes to review hard copies of these documents, can do so at the council offices, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX.
Interim Injunction Order 12 December 2018
Application Bundle Index
Map
Schedule A
Divider 1 - Part 8 Claim Form
Divider 2 - Application for Interim Injunction Order
Divider 3 - Proposed draft injunction order
Divider 4 - Witness statement of Howard Joy in support of Application for Interim Injunction Order 10.12.2018 (redacted)
Unauthorised Encampment Protocol
The joint protocol agreement between the police and the council outlines the policy and operational response to unlawful encampments within the borough.
Each case of unauthorised encampment will be individually considered on its merits, before any decision on police response is made.
The protocol acknowledges the status and rights of Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers as distinct ethnic groups and our duty under the Race Relations Amendment Act (RRAA) to positively promote good race relations.
Traveller Unauthorised Encampment Protocol
We recognise that Merton has a long history of Traveller culture and that many of our residents are of Traveller heritage. Travellers often struggle to access services around health, education and housing. Those who are highly mobile can miss out on the support they need. Therefore we will endeavour to ensure that the needs of children, younger people and other vulnerable groups from highly mobile Traveller families are met. We acknowledge that this means we have dual and sometimes conflicting roles in relation to Travellers who camp unlawfully.
