Wycombe MP Steve Baker has welcomed the government's plans to give police extra powers to tackle unauthorised traveller encampments.

In June last year, after a handful of caravans pitched up next to the iconic Golden Ball in West Wycombe, the MP spoke out to urge the government to tackle illegal camps "at an early opportunity".

Now, the government has said it will make it a criminal offence to move onto land without the consent of the occupier.

Mr Baker said: "I am pleased Govt has published proposals to give police additional powers to tackle unauthorised traveller encampments.

"Communities want greater protection and for police to move trespassers quickly. Today’s announcement will support that."

He added: "There has been a lot of frustration in Wycombe about unauthorised traveller camps in recent years.

"I have previously asked Priti Patel for new laws.

"Communities should always feel safe. Today's announcement on new police powers will support that."

According to new guidance published by the government, it will be a criminal offence, if you are over 18, to reside or intend to reside on land without consent, if you have at least one vehicle on that land, and if they cause or are likely to cause "significant damage, disruption or distress".

It will also be a crime to fail to leave land and remove their property or to re-enter without permission of the land occupier within 12 months.

The government said: "Reasonable suspicion that a person has committed this offence confers power on a constable to seize their vehicle/other property for up to three months from the date of seizure or, if criminal proceedings are commenced, until the conclusion of those proceedings."

The government also plans to amend parts of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA).

They added: "We believe that the combination of the new offence and the extension of existing powers in the CJPOA will give police the tools to deal with a variety of harms caused by unauthorised encampments in a proportionate, effective and efficient manner."

However the plans have been slammed by Twitter user @RoadsideMum, who previously branded them "obscene", and added they will be "fought relentlessly" by organisations including Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) and charity The Traveller Movement.