Posted in Uncategorized on August 19, 2010| Leave a Comment »
The travellers who stayed on Great Berry Open Space for four days have now gone. A council lorry is now on site cleaning up their mess. A lockable bollard has been put in place at the entrance next to St Johns that they had used to enter the park without obstruction in Sunday.
Finally it is safe for people to go back onto the park without fear from the travellers and their dogs. Let’s hope the council have learnt some lessons. Where will they go next?
Posted in Crime on August 17, 2010| 2 Comments »
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.
Posted in Crime, Travellers on August 16, 2010| Leave a Comment »
On Monday afternoon a group of travellers set up in Great Berry Open Space at Langdon Hills. There are so far four caravans and various other vehicles parked in the corner of the fields which are normally used by local residents to play football or other games.
At 8pm a police van was seen to cross the field to approach the travellers as they sat around a table. After a minute the police left. Shortly afterwards the travellers lit a fire in the corner of the park as people from nearby houses looked on in disgust.
Langdon Hills News 