A London borough has gone to the courts to stop travellers coming to the area.

At a full meeting last night, Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal announced that the council has applied for an injunction to prevent travellers from coming to Redbridge.

The authority has applied for a High Court injunction banning “unauthorised encampments” across the borough.

If approved, anyone breaching the injunction could be imprisoned or face a fine for contempt of court.

A council spokesperson said the council is seeking the borough-wide injunction because of the significant cost, both legally and financially, of dealing with illegal encampments.

The date of the final High Court hearing will be set for a later date.

Cllr Athwal said: “By seeking this injunction I am delivering on my promise to do so last year.  Unauthorised encampments have been a burden to this borough for years and this action will stop the severe disruption they cause.”