Travellers return to Cofton Park - Birmingham

From karmadillo.co.uk
http://www.karmadillo.co.uk/b31/2012/06/travellers-return-to-cofton-park/

This morning, Travellers entered Cofton Park car park. Unable to enter the park due to new security measures put in place by local councillors last year, they broke into the green waste compound adjoining the car park and set up camp there.

Police officers, Councillor Andy Cartwright and parks manager Joe Hayden have visited the site. Police have given Travellers notice to leave the site within two hours.

Travellers made camp at Cofton Park last year and left a considerable mess. Following this and illegal encampments around the area (Frankley, Great Park, Egghill) efforts were made by Birmingham City Council to secure sites.

If you live in the area, please be vigilant to any movement and possible settlement by the Travellers. If you see them setting up encampments or trying to break through security on open spaces in the area, please contact Longbridge Police by calling 101.

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Last year, B31 Voices kept a timeline and map of the movement of Travellers in the area to help highlight the need to find a solution to illegal encampments as Northfield MP Richard Burden called for Birmingham City Council to look into establishing a second legal site for Travellers in Birmingham.