Travellers face new criminal offences in a bid to deter them from setting up illegal camps on people's land under Government plans.

Figures reveal approximately one in six caravans across the country, around 3,700, are pitched illegally. People who set up camps illegally can be prosecuted for “aggravated trespass” if they are found to have intimidated landowners.

A Whitehall source said that the plans would make prosecutions more “straightforward”, adding that aggravated trespass was a “fiddly” offence and difficult to prove.

In a call for evidence, ministers announced that they are considering creating offences where camps are found to have “substantially damaged land” or caused “serious inconvenience”.

Dominic Raab, the housing minister, said: “The vast majority of the travelling community are decent and law-abiding people. But, we are particularly concerned about illegal traveller encampments, and some of the anti-social behaviour they can give rise to. We must promote a tolerant society and make sure there are legal sites available for travellers, but equally the rule of law must be applied to everyone.”