NCJ Number
163091
Date Published
1994
Length
95 pages
Annotation
The phenomenon of the New Age Traveler (NAT) in Great Britain in the 1980's and 1990's is discussed with respect to media coverage, common stereotypes, and police and legislative responses to this nomadic subculture and their occupation of public land.
Abstract
Information was collected by means of personal interactions with NATs in Worcester, England; a review of police tactics and intelligence activities; an analysis of newspaper reports; a questionnaire survey of 67 NATs; interviews with 29 New Age Travelers and 238 police personnel; and correspondence with 14 agencies. The research focused on characteristics of the members of this subculture and the reasons for the efforts to criminalize an activity that is within the domain of civil law. Results revealed that the numbers of NATs amounts to about 2,000 vehicles and 5,000 to 9,000 people. NATs had to travel due to homelessness, abuse, poverty, and other factors. Most live by means of casual work on farms at low pay rates. They are part of working-class society that can be found in any urban area and their travels are a pragmatic attempt to live within the rules of society without the hassle of inner-city deprivation. The level of criminality associated with NATs is no worse than that of the total population and, on most occasions, was considerably less. Thus, no data exist to justify the negative profile of NATs or legislation to address them. Findings suggest the need for a less confrontational police response than in recent years. Chapter notes and 60 references