The Council successfully applied for the injunction through its Gypsy and Traveller Service after Maurice Smith, 52, of no fixed abode, was found to have engaged in behaviour that caused harassment, alarm and distress.

The injunction follows previous legal action taken against Smith in July 2024, when he was prohibited from using insulting language or behaving in a way that could cause harassment, alarm or distress to Council workers, contractors and residents at Tinkers Corner traveller site in Bosbury.

Smith was previously a resident at Tinkers Corner, but following ongoing rent arrears and anti-social behaviour concerns, the Council obtained possession of his plot on 21 April 2026. He is no longer a resident at the site.

At a hearing at Hereford County Court on Thursday 25 June 2026, the court heard evidence of a number of incidents where Smith acted in an aggressive and abusive manner towards Council officers, including incidents on 19 June 2025, 13 August 2025 and 24 April 2026.

Judge Toussaint agreed that extending and amending the existing injunction was necessary to protect Council staff, contractors and residents living at Council-owned traveller sites.

The court has ordered that Smith must not:

·       Enter or return to any Herefordshire Council-owned Gypsy and Traveller site

·       Use insulting language or threaten violence towards Council employees, contractors, residents or visitors

·       Behave in a way that could cause nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress to others at Council-owned sites

·       Commit or encourage criminal offences, including criminal damage or interference with property.

The injunction, including a power of arrest for breaches, will remain in place until June 2028.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, Councillor Barry Durkin, said:

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected, including Council employees, contractors and residents living on our traveller sites.

“We will not tolerate behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress, and we will take appropriate action where individuals repeatedly breach acceptable standards of behaviour.

“This injunction provides additional protection for those who live and work at these sites and demonstrates our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour across Herefordshire.”