Travellers were removed from Stopsley Recreation Ground today (August 2) by police who used special legislation to make them leave.
The travellers had been illegally camped at the site since Tuesday and it is thought they may be the same group who were previously in Manor Road, Popes Meadow, Colwell Rise and Hedley Rise.
As reported in the Luton News and Herald & Post this week, the council’s executive committee have vowed to crackdown on illegal encampments, and intended to ask police for help during the eviction process.
A reader who did not wish to be named but lives in St Thomas’ Road in Stopsley said: “There were 26 caravans on the recreation ground and the police wouldn’t do anything about it, but since you published that story they have sent cars up there. When we reported it they just ignored us, but since that story in the paper they have done something.”
The resident said he was told it would be next weekend before the council’s eviction process would take effect.
He said: “That was no good for us. We can’t even go out, they are so aggressive. They don’t care if you are in your house they are banging the doors down and breaking in anyway. They are so brazen. They come in the back gardens in the evening when kids are playing, I can’t have it. We have been fobbed off by the police until now.”
A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We are working with Luton Borough Council to implement Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act for the removal of the unauthorised encampment in Stopsley. Notice was served at 8.30am giving the families until 10am to move from the location.”
At a meeting of the council’s executive on Monday, councillors said without the help of police it was difficult for them to act quickly and effectively.
Another Stopsley resident said: “It’s horrendous. Exactly the same thing happened last year and what they do is illegal because they are trespassing. Last year they drove through the tennis court to get there - they just drive and knock down anything in their way. They completely commandeered a massive field and parked all the way round. It’s such a popular recreation ground for kids to play and dogs to walk but it’s unusable when they are there. And how much council money is it going to cost to clear it all up once they’ve left? The council needs to build concrete barriers.”