Travellers could face jail and a fine of up to £2,500 for refusing to break up an illegal camp under a new law due to come into force in Northern Ireland next month.
Northern Ireland Office Social Development Minister David Hanson announced today that police would also be given the power to seize vehicles if those who camp illegally refuse to comply with an order to leave the land.
But the Minister stressed that Travellers would be protected by a requirement on the police to ask the Housing Executive about the availability of suitable sites in the area.
The new Unauthorised Encampments (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 will come into effect on July 19th. Its enforcement has been delayed to give the Housing Executive time to provide a number of suitable camp sites across the province.
In recent years there have been a number of high profile incidents where Travellers have been asked to move camps.
In January last year, a group of eight families occupied the grounds of the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick, Co Antrim. The following month, families occupied a fire brigade training centre on Belfast's Boucher Road, the site of the Northern Ireland Policing Board's headquarters and also Sprucefield retail park near Lisburn.
In April, a group of Travellers forced the closure of Sperrin Integrated College in Magherafelt, Co Derry, but left the site after negotiations between school staff and five families.
In some cases, High Court orders have been sought to force Travellers off land. There have also been claims that some families have demanded money in return for leaving land.