Basildon Council has accepted a motion to consider adopting the “Irish Option” to deal with illegal traveller camps in the borough.

At a full council meeting, Conservative Councillor Andrew Schrader put forward a motion to adopt more robust laws against illegal trespasses in the borough.

Mr Schrader proposed the council submit this idea to the government as part of their consultation with local authorities on now to deal with illegal encampments. Gavin Callaghan, chairman of the policy and resources committee, has moved the motion to be discussed at a future policy and resources committee meeting.

Mr Schrader said: “The Irish Option means if there’s a deliberate act of trespassing it would be treated as a criminal offence rather than a civil one.

“I accept councillor Callaghan’s amendment to consider the motion at a meeting.

“We agreed that the existing powers aren’t enough. Illegal encampment is a growing problem in the borough and it needs to be addressed quickly.”

Mr Callaghan said: “I made the amendment so we can all think about what it actually means for the council.

“Not everyone has all the information about the Irish Option to fully understand the implications for council.

“It will be considered at a policy and resources committee meeting before March next year. Sometimes adopting new policies is not as easy as it seems so we need time to consider carefully.”

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, said: “Along with a number of other MPs, I am supporting the so called “Irish Option, which would mean adopting the law they have in Ireland, which would make deliberate trespass a criminal offence.

“The Government is shortly due to launch a consultation of Traveller Policy and I know a number of MPs will be submitting the Irish Option to the consolation. I hope Basildon Council will do the same.”