Postby Wandsworth Council » Fri Apr 15, 2016 1:22 pm
In reply to mungomuffit's post- this is how we responded the last time there was an incident of this nature in Wandsworth (Nov 2015). This is exactly how we react every time there is an attempt like this to set up a camp on any of our parks and open spaces.
Council foils two attempts by travellers to occupy commons
Swift action from the council’s parks police service yesterday prevented two concerted attempts by travellers to set up camps on both Wandsworth and Tooting Commons.
The town hall was alerted at around 3pm yesterday (Tuesday) that an attempt was being made to occupy parts of Wandsworth Common, near Bellevue Road.
Nine vehicles in total, including cars, tipper trucks, transit vans and caravans had been driven on to the common by travellers who were attempting to set up a camp. Intelligence suggested this was just the vanguard of a far bigger encampment involving many more vehicles and caravans.
The travellers were immediately issued with formal notices to quit, warning them that if they did not leave immediately the council’s parks police service would commence legal proceedings which could involve the towing away and seizure of their vehicles.
Camping on any common or open space in the borough of Wandsworth, without prior authorisation from the council, is a criminal offence under Wandsworth's parks and open spaces byelaws.
The council also has powers to physically remove any person, and their belongings, including vehicles, if they do not comply with the byelaws.
This warning of legal action and potential prosecution persuaded the group to quit and they left Wandsworth Common at around 4.30pm. However, they then simply drove to Tooting Common where they attempted to set up another camp by driving onto the football pitches close to Dr Johnson Avenue.
A further ultimatum from the parks police however convinced the travellers that they should leave Tooting Common and they were gone by around 6pm. Their current whereabouts is not known but they appear to have left the borough completely. The council has alerted neighbouring town halls and adjoining Met police divisions to alert them that similar attempts to set up camps may be made in those areas.
A council spokesman said: “This was a textbook operation by our parks police service that nipped this problem very firmly in the bud.
“As soon as we learned what was happening we took immediate steps to move this group on and prevent them from setting up camp.
“We warned them that if they did not leave they would face the prospect of a criminal prosecution under the park’s byelaws and face having their vehicles towed away. Faced with this no-nonsense ultimatum the travellers made the sensible decision to leave straight away.”
Residents who witness any incident involving travellers on council-owned land should call the town hall's emergency response team on (020) 8871 6900. This is a 24 hour service. Occupations of other land should be reported immediately to the police.
The council provides an approved travellers site in Trewint Street, Earlsfield.
