Clean-up begins as Travellers move on from New Waltham field - Lincolnshire

From the Grimsby Times

A LANDOWNER is today counting the cost of the clean-up operation after a party of Travellers illegally occupied a field at New Waltham.

The owner of Peaks Top Farm, Rodney Clayton, estimated the illegal occupation by Travellers and the clean-up could cost him thousands of pounds.

He thanked North East Lincolnshire Council and Humberside Police for their swift action which forced the travellers to move on.

They had previously moved from a site off Taylor's Avenue, Cleethorpes, to the field in New Waltham, on Thursday last week, as reported.

Now, they have arrived at a site in Holton-le-Clay, near the Jug And Bottle pub.

The lock to the metal gate to Mr Clayton's field was smashed, and the Travellers had at least three bonfires and left behind piles of rubbish, including a vacuum cleaner, a baby's harness, an exhaust and several empty cans of beer.

Glass was also shattered in an area of the field, through which there is a public footpath popular with dog walkers.

It was vacated on Wednesday night. Mr Clayton and his son Peter spent several hours clearing rubbish.

The damage to the field of hay could mean the family business loses around £600 because the crop cannot be harvested, they said.

The family has also spent around £1,000 on concrete blocks to prevent any Travellers occupying fields owned by the business.

In praise of the council, Mr Clayton said: "Credit where credit is due. When something like this happens and help is needed the council and the police have responded.

"Sadly the problem has just moved on elsewhere. It is a shame.

"I would like to pass my thanks on to the council, particularly their legal department, Humberside Police and local residents for their help and support during the recent Traveller occupation of land in New Waltham.

"Being faced with Travellers occupying private land is a daunting experience. The legal processes that have to be gone through, the expense and the cleaning up operation afterwards is difficult for anyone without prior experience of this situation.

"The council and the police were very prompt in providing assistance and practical help, as were local residents who themselves phoned in to myself and the police force."

Peter said: "We were pleased with the swift response. The council went straight to court to get an eviction order. A lot of the residents in the village were concerned."