TRAVELLERS have invaded private land in Worcester and two holes have been hacked in a metal mesh fence to create a cut-through between the caravans.

Caravans, cars and a camper van arrived at three different locations off Hylton Road - the University of Worcester's Riverside pay and display car park, a private car park at the back of ETB and a service road at the back of the Worcester News. They arrived on Friday at about 9.30pm.

The top of a barrier was removed at the car park at the back of ETB and two holes have appeared in the fence. The holes create a cut-through between three areas off Hylton Road where the caravans and camper vans are parked. Across all three sites there are four caravans, a camper van and several cars, one of which was blocking the service road near Sabrina Motor Services today.

Children could be seen passing between the holes made in the fences and others were playing on scooters.

One woman, who declined to be named, said: "I saw a little girl just pull her pants down and do her business."

A camper van and two caravans are parked in the pay and display car park at the back of the Riverside. A university official had closed the barriers at the Hylton Road entrance to the Arena and the Riverside to stop anymore travellers getting on the site. On the university land one of the caravans and a camper van had been parked partially over disabled bays. The car park sign warns that failing to display a valid permit will result in a £60 fine, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

The university land was also invaded by travellers in July and police officers were on duty at the entrance to the Worcester Arena.

A traveller on the site said the group would be leaving tomorrow and denied removing the top of the barrier to gain entry.

He said: "Someone told us they would weld us in. We will be going tomorrow evening, I promise you. I know it's not nice. We don't want to cause any problems. Don't take pictures of the caravans. We have enemies."

A University of Worcester spokesperson said: "All University of Worcester sites are open as usual. The university is working alongside the authorities to resolve this matter.”

There will be more updates when we have them.