Anger as Travellers move on to land near Wyken homes - Coventry

From the Coventry Telegraph

TRAVELLERS, residents and police were involved in a stand-off in a quiet Coventry street.

Officers were called to Keswick Walk, Wyken, around 9am on Saturday after Travellers moved onto a small grassed area at the end of the cul-de-sac.

It is believed the group had been moved on from a nearby supermarket where they were due to be evicted by council officers.

Up to 12 caravans moved onto the green before arguments flared between the groups.

Ray Woods, chairman of the Belgrave Road residents and neighbourhood watch association, said the street was usually very quiet but the incident had worried people.

He said: “We have had Travellers down here once before when they came, drove in a big circle around the green and then took off when they realised there was only one exit. That doesn’t seem to have deterred them this time.

“This is a close knit community here and the last thing we want is a situation like this.”

Coun Hazel Sweet (Lab, Wyken) who had come to support the residents, contacted park officers at the nearby Caludon Castle Park who closed the park to stop any more caravans from moving onto that site.

She said: “Some of the group left peacefully after being asked to by police.

“But some refused to leave and it got quite abusive and aggressive.

"Others were just very vocal shouting at residents that they weren’t going anywhere. If something isn’t done to block this site they will just come back again.”

Upset by the incident, one of the Travellers, Joanne Allen, said: “I understand the residents don’t like the look of us or like us being here but we are not criminals and we are doing nothing wrong. We have to go somewhere.”

A spokeswoman for Coventry Police said some of the group had moved on after requests from officers but other remained for some hours.

She added: “Police officers remained on the site for the weekend.”