Gypsies and Travellers in Central Bedfordshire
Gypsies and Romany Gypsies have been part of our communities for hundreds of years, with Irish travellers having been here in the UK for over 150 years.
Similar to other minority groups, Gypsies and Travellers have their own language, traditions and customs that guide their way of life and which have passed down through generations.
All Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
According to the 2021 census, there were 740 Gypsies and Irish Travellers in Central Bedfordshire, this is roughly 0.6% of the population with 500 in Bedford Borough and 670 in Luton.
The National figure was 67,815 in England and 3,630 in Wales, although the estimate was between 150,000 and 300,000. Accurate data is very hard to gather without active engagement by councils with Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Central Bedfordshire has four current council-run Gypsies and Travellers sites.