Travellers leave pile of waste at Severn Beach camp

Travellers who set up an illegal camp at a furniture company in Severn Beach have moved on – leaving behind a pile of waste.

Staff at Gloster Furniture were shocked to find 14 caravans, horse boxes and other vehicles on their car park in Collins Drive last Thursday.

But the travellers, who had previously set up camp in Whitchurch, left at about 10pm on Monday, having been issued with letters by the police under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. The act requires gipsies or travellers to leave an area if it is thought they have caused damage, used threatening or abusive language and there are more than six caravans.

Damage was allegedly caused to a gate at the outdoor furniture company's headquarters and when the travellers left, logistics manager Derek Buxton said they had left two fridges, gas bottles, an exercise bike and bags of rubbish. He said: "They left late at night and the security guard heard they may have been heading for Cabot or to an industrial estate in Avonmouth."

Yesterday, it emerged travellers who have set up camp illegally on 27 sites across the Bristol region are facing legal action.

Officials are using court injunctions, planning inquiries and enforcement notices to evict those who have set up home on the publicly and privately owned land.

Police: Secure property against travellers

Police have encouraged farmers and landowners to take steps to keep travellers and gipsies from setting up illegal camps.

It comes after a series of problems with groups of gipsies in the Bristol area during the past fortnight.

A group with 14 caravans, horse boxes and other vehicles moved on to farmland at Whitchurch off the A37.

Then they moved on to a field in Stockwood, before going to Severn Beach where they set up camp in the car park of Gloster Furniture.

Police issued the group with a notice to leave under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

They moved off on Monday night, leaving behind a pile of waste, but have not been seen since.

Bristol city, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset councils last night said they were not aware of any further problems.

A different group of travellers also tried to set up home on a field next to the Moorgate Farm development in Portbury just off The Sheepway a fortnight ago.

A convoy of caravans got into the field, next to the housing development but were quickly moved on by police.

The group arrived mid morning and, following complaints from local residents, moved off the site by early afternoon.

Portbury Parish Council chairman, Les Summerfield, said: "The latest group of travellers got on to a field adjacent to the housing development at Moor Farm.

"Initially there were six caravans, but we had reports that there were a number of other travellers waiting to get on to the same site and that they were waiting in Sheepway.

"The problem is that once a site is found the word gets around and often many more travellers arrive.

"The police acted very fast and moved the group on quickly and they were only on site for about four hours."

"We believe the travellers who arrived in the village recently had been in Portbury before."

A group of half a dozen travellers, believed to be a different group, had also set up camp at Old Mill Road in Portishead days before the Portbury group.

Portishead police Sergeant Lee Ashdown said: "I would encourage all landowners to make sure their property is secure as this will help prevent future illegal encampments."

The warning comes at the same time as North Somerset Council is looking for locations for new traveller sites.

On 12th May, 2009 in Ableton Lane, a rear garden was entered via a sidegate.  9 Koi Carp were taken.  Did you see anything? If so report it to the Police please on 0845 4567000.  Now is the time to check the security of side gates etc., please make access difficult for robbers to access the rear of your property.  Don't forget garages and sheds too!

SBNW NEWS: Motorbike, Mopeds, Mini Bikes etc. - Are being seized and crushed.

Today the police have seized nuisance motorbikes in Severn Beach and surrounds. 

If you see them REPORT them to Police Non Emergency 08454 567000 or Report Online

THE POLICE WANT TO KNOW AND WILL ACT.

** Also, notices will be placed in offending areas.**

Please keep a look out for an individual calling door to door asking if any work needs doing.

He is using a red panel van, with (?) writing on the side, partial registration number V392.  It is also being used to tow a dark green metal trailer with a stable door on the rear. The person appears to be living in it.

If you have any knowledge of this person or see the vehicle on your travels please contact DC Rachael Cooke of Bridgewater Police Station, on 0845 456 7000