DITCHES and barriers will not stop inventive travellers parking their caravans on private land, says a councillor.
Wychavon district councillor Alan Fisher wants to see travellers moved off land between Fernhill Heath and Martin Hussingtree, near Worcester.
The grassy area of land, owned by Worcester-shire County Council, has suffered as many as eight traveller invasions over the past 12 months.
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The latest caravans arrived at the site - Sandway on the A38 - on Tuesday afternoon, much to the dismay of North Claines Parish Council which has discussed the possibility of spending £800 to dig a ditch to keep travellers out.
But Coun Fisher, who represents Lovett and North Claines, is not convinced that any defence will work.
He said: "We have looked at putting a ditch there before. There's a problem because underneath that piece of ground there are lots of BT lines and wires. It's not as simple as just digging it up. Historically it doesn't prevent travellers getting on. They are very inventive people.
"They just put planks over and get on. They have four-wheel drive vehicles which can get over a ditch anyway. We don't want them there because of the mess they leave. But if you get them off they come back again within a week."
He said part of the problem was that the area was in nice countryside and close to the M5 which made it attractive.
A spokesman for Worcest-ershire County Council said it was following procedures laid out by the unauthorised camping policy.
A spokesman for West Mercia police said the situation was being monitored.
Posted by: Stan Parr, Pershore on 11:22pm Fri 9 May 08
"West Mercia police said the situation was being monitored."
I assume that means "doing nothing"?
Isn't it time they treated these people the same way they treat us tax-paying citizens?
It's time to start being firm with these people!
"West Mercia police said the situation was being monitored."
I assume that means "doing nothing"?
Isn't it time they treated these people the same way they treat us tax-paying citizens?
Posted by: truthteller, worcester on 11:23pm Fri 9 May 08
What is the problem? If its private property just get bulldozers and move these people off. They have no right to be there so talking about it is not the answer. MOVE THEM. Do we have a Police Force?????????
What is the problem? If its private property just get bulldozers and move these people off. They have no right to be there so talking about it is not the answer. MOVE THEM. Do we have a Police Force?????????
Posted by: Zero Tollerance, Malvern on 9:24am Sat 10 May 08
The longer these people are here the greater the expense to the taxpayer. Not only do we have to foot the bill for the clear up for the mess they leave behind at the site, we also have to foot the bill for garden waste etc dumped in lay-bys in surrounding areas.
The quicker the authorities jump on this continuous headache the better. Im sure the authorities would pounce on us taxpayers very heavily in a heart beat should we consistantly flout laws etc.
COME ON COUNCILLORS, POLICE, MP's AND ALL, FIND AN EFFECTIVE AND PERMANANT SOLUTION.
I would rather foot the bill to employ a 'Heavy Mob' to come in and tow away and impound ALL caravans and vehicles immediately as opposed to asking nicely for these social reprebates to move on. Paying for these animals is a drag at the best of times so hit them fast and as hard as possible and save us all money in the long run.
They have no respect for anyone so why should they be given respect back.
The longer these people are here the greater the expense to the taxpayer. Not only do we have to foot the bill for the clear up for the mess they leave behind at the site, we also have to foot the bill for garden waste etc dumped in lay-bys in surrounding areas.
The quicker the authorities jump on this continuous headache the better. Im sure the authorities would pounce on us taxpayers very heavily in a heart beat should we consistantly flout laws etc.
COME ON COUNCILLORS, POLICE, MP's AND ALL, FIND AN EFFECTIVE AND PERMANANT SOLUTION.
I would rather foot the bill to employ a 'Heavy Mob' to come in and tow away and impound ALL caravans and vehicles immediately as opposed to asking nicely for these social reprebates to move on. Paying for these animals is a drag at the best of times so hit them fast and as hard as possible and save us all money in the long run.
They have no respect for anyone so why should they be given respect back.
Posted by: varien, worcester on 5:32pm Sat 10 May 08
No point in asking West Mercia Police to move them. Their idea of policing is to protect the guilty and persecute the innocent.
There was a good quote made on breakfast TV this morning - "The police can't catch criminals so they criminalise the people they can catch".
No point in asking West Mercia Police to move them. Their idea of policing is to protect the guilty and persecute the innocent.
There was a good quote made on breakfast TV this morning - "The police can't catch criminals so they criminalise the people they can catch".
Posted by: varien, worcester on 5:34pm Sat 10 May 08
No point in asking West Mercia Police to move them. Their idea of policing is to protect the guilty and persecute the innocent.
There was a good quote made on breakfast TV this morning - "The police can't catch criminals so they criminalise the people they can catch".
No point in asking West Mercia Police to move them. Their idea of policing is to protect the guilty and persecute the innocent.
There was a good quote made on breakfast TV this morning - "The police can't catch criminals so they criminalise the people they can catch".
west mercia dont really police and as u say Varien they persecute the innocent maybe officers should go training up in south yorks round barnsley cause from what ive seen on tv they would learn alot
west mercia dont really police and as u say Varien they persecute the innocent maybe officers should go training up in south yorks round barnsley cause from what ive seen on tv they would learn alot
Posted by: ladyluck, worcester on 5:21pm Sun 11 May 08
just goes to show where the police priorities lie. they can soon move kids on when they are hanging around and fine people for over filling their wheely bins (easy pickings), but when it means moving tinkers who can be very antisocial, aggressive and act like they are above the law and also leave litter and gas canisters lying everywhere i suppose this deems more challenging for them.
just goes to show where the police priorities lie. they can soon move kids on when they are hanging around and fine people for over filling their wheely bins (easy pickings), but when it means moving tinkers who can be very antisocial, aggressive and act like they are above the law and also leave litter and gas canisters lying everywhere i suppose this deems more challenging for them.
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