Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language or values. The following information sets out how we and other official agencies will work to try to balance the rights of all those involved.

Working in partnership, the councils and the police in Dorset have signed up to a joint protocol which is intended to ensure a corporate and agreed response to unauthorised traveller encampments. The partners to the protocol agree to deal with each case of unauthorised camping according to the situation that arises and the needs of all concerned including residents in the settled community, tourists, business partners and travellers.

The Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Service operated by Dorset County Council helps local councils, the police, local landowners and the Gypsy and Traveller community in this partnership working. Their pages also give answers to frequently asked questions about unauthorised encampments.

The Government now requires local authorities to plan more positively for new Gypsy and Traveller sites where it is shown that they are needed. As a result, all of the local authorities in Dorset are now working together to produce a Development Plan Document (DPD), which will allocate permanent and transit sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople to meet identified needs for the next 15 years. To find out more, go to the Dorset-wide Gypsy and Traveller pitch allocations pages.

• Gypsies and Travellers - frequently asked questions

  Residents often ask why the council and the police do not evict Gypsies and Travellers as soon as they arrive on a public open space or other land. Here are some frequently asked questions which we hope will explain why.

• Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Service

  Sensitive management and effective solutions.

• New planning policy for gypsies and travellers

  The government is committed to ensuring that members of the Gypsy and Traveller community have the same rights and responsibilities as every other citizen.

• Dorset-wide Gypsy and Traveller (including Travelling Showpeople) site allocations joint development plan document

  Latest news - the consultation period has now closed. All consultation and background documents are available on the Useful Information page. Next Steps - The Dorset Councils will now consider the responses received and will use them to help develop a draft Development Plan Document (DPD) during 2012. The draft DPD will then be made available for further public consultation. The Councils are also working together to develop and finalise a timetable with details of these next stages and will make this available on the website.

• Proposed Shaftesbury Traveller Site

  Planning permission for the proposed Shaftesbury Traveller Site was granted by Dorset County Council's Planning Committee in March 2011.