Gypsies have an 'us and them' attitude by and large.

If you're another Gypsy, then you're ok. If not, you're there to be swindled or exploited and you better not say anything about it.

I really don't understand the attitude that it's racist to say that their behaviour isn't acceptable and that they should be tolerated by society.

This isn't a group with ancient religious beliefs, they're people who like to live in caravans and don't like to contribute to the society they expect stuff from by paying tax.