THE head of a notorious traveller family has been banned from the whole of Sandwell after council chiefs secured a High Court injunction.

John Cassidy, aged 44, cannot enter the borough while 13 other members of his family are prohibited from setting up unauthorised encampments, causing damage to barriers and fly-tipping anywhere in Sandwell.

The injunction, which the council – supported by West Midlands Police – obtained from His Honour Judge McKenna at the High Court of Justice in Birmingham, also forbids setting up of camps on 17 authority-owned sites.

These include Tame Road Playing Fields, Brandhall and Lion Farm Playing Fields in Newbury Lane which are both in Oldbury.

The court was told how the Cassidy family had caused anti-social behaviour including assaults, large scale disorder, threats, intimidation, criminal damage and an extreme amount of fly-tipping on sites across Sandwell.

The group, along with more than 40 caravans and vehicles, set up camp on Sandwell Council and privately-owned sites more than 25 times between June 2014 and August 2016.

Parks, business estates, car parks and playing fields were all targeted – often with human waste and tonnes of rubbish left behind once the group were moved on.

Judge McKenna granted the injunction based on substantial evidence submitted by the council and West Midlands Police.

Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Steve Eling said: “The Cassidy family have caused anti-social behaviour, threatened council and police officers, intimidated residents and fly-tipped on sites around Sandwell for some time.

“This injunction is a message to the Cassidys and other groups who set up unauthorised encampments that we will not tolerate this behaviour.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and investment Councillor Paul Moore added: “Unauthorised encampments cause misery for residents, cost the council thousands of pounds a year and take up valuable police time and resources. This has to stop.

“Dealing with unauthorised encampments and the mess they often leave behind cost the council around £250,000 last year and this is just not acceptable.”

“It’s our priority to protect our land by doing whatever we can to stop unauthorised encampments in Sandwell.”

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "I welcome this tough action against a group of individuals who have caused no end of trouble for local people.

"The success of this injunction is down to the excellent partnership between West Midlands Police and Sandwell Council, which is setting an example nationally for how to work together to tackle an issue head-on.”

If anyone breaches the order, they could face two years in jail, a fine or have assets seized.

Any breaches of the injunction or unauthorised encampments can be reported by emailing unauthorised_encampments@sandwell.gov.uk, calling 0121 569 3862 or a local councillor or to the police on 101.