New figures reveal the amount of traveller caravans pitched in the Swindon area.

Statistics from the government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that there were 36 traveller caravans recorded as being parked up around the town in January.

This is down from the 61 caravans counted at the start of 2023.

None of the caravans tallied up this year were unauthorised.

The data also shows there were spaces for 55 caravans at local authority and privately-owned sites in Swindon.

Since those figures were recorded, travellers have been spotted setting up camp in the borough without authorisation on the Southern Access Road under the M4 near Wichelstowe and in the old Wroughton Park and Ride, where they managed to secure the site so that the local authority could not move them on without securing a court order first.

Though the overall amount of traveller caravans has decreased in Swindon, the figure has increased nationally.

Across England, 26,632 were caravans counted in January, which is an increase of seven per cent from the year before.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ssaid the increase this year was higher than average and added that this is partly explained by data quality improvements in the most recent count, with more authorities submitting data.

Of the caravans recorded nationally, 86 per cent were on authorised land and 14 per cent were unauthorised.

The number of unauthorised caravans recorded nationally has risen by 13 per cent from January 2023 and the majority of these were on land owned by Travellers.

A spokesperson for Friends, Families and Travellers - which works on behalf of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across the UK - said a national shortage of safe stopping places has caused an increase in gypsies and travellers living on roadside camps.

They added: "Entire families are stranded with nowhere else to go.

"National government must ensure councils have the appropriate funding in place so that Gypsy and Traveller families can access secure living conditions through the creation of more safe stopping places.

"Everyone deserves a safe place to rest."

The charity's general election campaign has asked parties to introduce stronger legislation encouraging councils to create adequate provision for Travellers.

It said Gypsy and Traveller sites are often built on dangerous roads, and close to tips and sewage works.