Travellers evicted from parkland
A group of travellers have been evicted from parkland in South-east London.
It is understood a group of travellers gained access to Bostall Heath in Greenwich after cutting off the padlock of a gate and removing two posts in Longleigh Lane.
The group pitched up with 12 caravans, towing vehicles and tipper trucks on Tuesday, June 12 at 8pm.
They were allowed to stay until the following day as a child needed to attend a health appointment. But some caravans remained on the site on Wednesday afternoon.
The travellers were warned the police would arrive at 5pm to enforce the encampment ban and potentially seize vehicles.
The four remaining caravans were cleared by council officers and the police by 7.20pm on Wednesday.
The council secured a three-year ban from the High Court on unlawful encampments in all its 203 parks and open spaces, including land around housing estates, in March this year.
Under the ban the council can evict travellers immediately without having to go through the process of taking individual court action against them.
Cllr Jackie Smith, cabinet member for community safety and integrated enforcement, said: “We are absolutely determined to protect our parks and open land from the damage illegal travellers’ encampments can cause.
“We hope this sends out a strong message that unlawful occupation of Greenwich council land will not be tolerated.”
To report a suspected illegal encampment email parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
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