There are estimated to be almost 10,000 travellers in Kent

There are currently 206 pitches on 17 sites across Kent offering permanent accommodation, but no transit sites.

The council said: "The best outcome for the people who live in settled homes in Kent and for Gypsies and travellers would be more authorised encampments."

The report will be discussed by the full council on 25 May.

The Gypsy and Traveller Sites Select Committee heard evidence from a range of witnesses over five months including representatives from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Kent Police.

'Very upsetting'

There are estimated to be almost 10,000 Gypsies and travellers in Kent, with 70% of those living in permanent accommodation.

Travellers said without transit sites where travellers would be able to stay for a short period of time, they are forced to camp illegally.

Traveller Phoebe Turner said her group had been forced to move 52 times in the last year.

"It's very upsetting. My children don't know whether they're coming or going," she said.

District councils are responsible for providing Gypsy and traveller sites.

The report said the county council should offer its expertise to district councils to provide a network of traveller sites, and a county-wide group should be set up to tackle and reduce unauthorised developments.

It also said the government should provide extra funding to boost work to tackle criminality and tax evasion in transient populations.