Travellers who have been camping on Great Berry Open Space by the playing fields have not wasted time in building up a pile of rubbish. They arrived on Monday night and by Tuesday morning a large pile of scrap could be seen next to a toilet tent on the edge of the fields. Two of the small lorries that had been there the previous night could not be seen but all four caravans were still in place.
Police have advised members of the public in the area to be cautious because the camp is surrounded by kennels housing several large dogs. At times the travellers have let the dogs loose in the park. Despite their very public choice of location they do not like attention. When I approached to take pictures of the rubbish and their dogs they shouted obscenities and threats. One teenage girl shouted that she would kick in my windows.
The police have now said that they cannot move them on until Thursday when a court order will take effect. This contrasts with police working with councils in other parts of Essex where they have been able to move travellers on within a day when they have camped on common land.
In addition to heeding the police advise to keep your distance, it is strongly suggested that you take extra care to secure your homes while the travellers are in the area. Do not leave pet dogs tied up unattended. Lock your sheds. Do not leave bicycles out, even if padlocked. Do not leave scrap metal that they can take and do not accept offers of casual labour if they knock on your door. If you see anything suspicious you should call the police.
This is a joke and i bet its the same lot who got moved on from hatfield heath last week and they broke into 7 properties on the night they left. I wonder how long until all the vans etc in that area get broken into including mine!
Apparently these travellers come from Surrey? which obviously is a lie, as how could anyone who don’t know the area find the pavillion!! They also told police they were there for their holiday’s. It’s a disgrace that they can’t be moved on in a day, it was done in Brentwood?
I hope once they have been evicted the council put up bollards by the walkway leading from St Johns church into the pavillion!!!