Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend Andrew RT Davies has said police assurances that the removal of an illegal travellers encampment will be “progressive” are inappropriate.
Trespassers continue to occupy the site at Brocastle, with residents reporting several incidents of intimidatory and anti-social behaviour.
In a letter to Mr Davies, South Wales Police said local teams “have been in continued engagement with Bridgend County Borough Council and representatives from Welsh Government in efforts towards the progressive, lawful and safe removal of travellers from the land”.
Progressivism is a left-wing political ideology that Mr Davies said is “associated with a soft approach to crime”.
He called for a “zero tolerance approach” to illegal travellers encampments and said those trespassers who establish them should be dealt with “swiftly and robustly”.
Mr Davies said:
“Given its association with a soft approach to law and order and tolerance of crime, ‘progressive’ is not a term the police should be using when dealing with illegal activity.
“These trespassers have occupied the site for several weeks, with residents experiencing intimidatory and anti-social behaviour.
“Rather than pledging to ensure the ‘progressive’ removal of this illegal travellers encampment, the police should ensure those responsible are dealt with swiftly and robustly.”
ENDS
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