Managing unauthorised encampments (including Gypsy and Traveller sites)
An unauthorised encampment is when a group of people move on to a piece of land that they do not own and without consent from the landowner. This is a form of trespassing under civil law.
The council has an authorised, fixed site with residential pitches for travellers at Kanes Hill, Botley Road.
If you have seen an unauthorised site, check below to see if it is one we already know about.
Current reports
Chilworth roundabout (A27) encampment
Update at 10am on 1 September 2025: Southampton City Council's Community Safety team are aware of the encampment and statutory welfare checks have been made. We are currently working with partners to resolve the situation.
The Quays car park encampment
Update at 10am on 1 September 2025: Southampton City Council's Community Safety team are aware of an encampment in the carpark of The Quays complex. We are working with partners to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hampshire Police have already been in touch with some of the individuals and the Community Safety team will be conducting statutory welfare checks later today if the encampment is still present.
Reporting an encampment
You can report an encampment using our online form:
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.
We will need to know:
Date and time you first noticed the campsite
Number of caravans or vehicles on the site
Extra details about the location
For more information, you can read our full policy on managing unauthorised campsites.
