Policing Our Communities

Travelling people should not be regarded as one single group of people.

Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are both ethnic minority groups and protected I the Race Relations Act.

Whilst there some similarities between some Travellers, police officers should be careful to treat people as individuals and not make assumptions since there are many different types of Traveller, from Romany and Irish, Scottish, to Fairground and circus Travellers. There are also New Age Travellers, who are a separate and distinctive group who should not be confused with Gypsies and Traditional Travellers.

There can be key differences amongst religion and language, e.g. many Gypsies speak the inherited languages of Romany; Irish Travellers may speak Cant.

Whilst there are cultural differences, Gypsies and traditional Travellers have many shared characteristics such as a strong family unit. Great care is placed on the socialisation of children together with care of the elderly and infirm; a sense of pride and resilience; entrepreneurial skills and occupational adaptability; and a strict code of cleanliness with regard to interior living spaces.

Gypsies and Travellers have been in this country for hundreds of years, and there are increasingly Roma from Eastern Europe also. There are many myths and stereotypes concerning Travellers which may have been promoted by ignorance and prejudice, so it wise to base your knowledge not on myth but rather from getting to know people for yourself.

Many Gypsies and Travellers seek to purchase their own land for their trailers, but experience much difficulty in obtaining planning consent. There is some tension between the police service and Gypsies and Travellers because of the issues in unauthorised camping, partly caused by a shortage of sites. Travellers in housing often experience poor living standards and many may not be there out of choice.

Gypsies and Travellers experience prejudice and social exclusion and can struggle to access public services in health and education.

There is some distrust of the criminal justice sector and the police service.

Consider:

• Don't make assumptions, this may cause offence, ask how people would like to be referred to. Remember if you are in someone's trailer, for whatever reason, you are in their home, please be respectful.
• As a result of previous encounters with authority, many will be suspicious of approaches or contact with police officers. This is often based on a long history of assumptions and poor treatment received in the past.
• Because of distrust Gypsies and Travellers may be reluctant to report crimes committed against them: any police interaction is an opportunity to build trust and mutual understanding. Only meeting people in confrontational situations does not develop trust. It is important to build a relationship and rapport.
• Try and find out if there are particular reasons why Travellers might be in a particular place, there may be special reasons such as illness or sitting up prior to a burial. There are sometimes very strong cultural reasons why Travellers are in one area. Mediation and understanding can avoid much conflict.
• The use of family names can lead to suspicion, but police officers should be aware that some Travellers use both their parents' surnames depending on who's family they are with at the time.
• Illiteracy may be an issue, be careful about causing offence. It is important to ascertain if they can understand the document or script. If in doubt, offer to read it to them.
• When dealing with sudden death, there is the potential for conflict over the need for a post mortem. You should endeavour to explain the procedure and treat the issues with sensitivity. Burial is preferable to cremation. The funeral and procession is seen as a celebration of the deceased's life. It is not uncommon for a site to be vacated after a death.
• Every member of the family has a clearly defined role and great importance is placed on the care of their children. Children are encouraged to be independent and male children might be a spoke person for the family when not all the family are present.
• Travellers tend to prefer to travel with members of their extended family.
• Cleanliness is important to Travellers in terms of personal hygiene and within their home.
• Travellers can have what you might term old fashioned values, and you may find women on site during the day with men out working, and a reluctance to talk to you without men there.
• It could cause difficulties for a male to spend time with a Traveller woman in her trailer, as rules of behaviour can be very strict. This concerns a lack of a trust relationship and where the female is unmarried and the male is not a family member.
• Travellers regard the issues of a sexual nature with their children private and may not be comfortable with outsiders discussing these issues.
• Discussion of an intimate nature will not normally take place with a woman in the presence of a man, even if he is her husband, or in the presence of any child.
• High moral standards and the care of children, particularly the younger ones, are seen as being very important.
• Please use a capital G and T when referring to Gypsies and Travellers, this denotes racial status. It can cause offence if you appear to deny the rights of racial status.