Police keeping close eye on Travellers' camp site - Derbyshire

From the Burton Mail

SWADLINCOTE’S top cop has revealed that officers are keeping a ‘close eye’ on a group of Travellers who are refusing to leave an illegal encampment.

Section Inspector Paul Cannon spoke to the Mail about the itinerants who moved onto fields opposite the Willington Sports Club, in Twyford Road, last Thursday.

He revealed that his officers were aware of the issue and had visited the site to issue the three families that make up the group with a code of conduct for how they should behave.

He said: “We are aware that the site has made residents in the area quite unhappy and we are working with the landowner Npower to try to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

“Officers have visited the site and issued the group with a code of conduct on how they should behave — at present we have had very few issues with the families — making sure they keep their piles of rubbish neat and making sure any dogs are on leads.

“We are keeping a close eye on the site and are visiting at least once a day and sometimes even two or three times.”

The Travellers were issued with an enforcement notice advising them they must leave the recreational grounds, owned by energy supplier Npower, by last Friday — but they have refused to go and are still occupying the site.

The Mail previously reported that Angela and David Budworth had been forced to sleep at their newly refurbished business Willington Sports Club, in Twyford Road, because they feared their property may be vandalised.

The Co-op store, in The Castleway, also brought in extra security at the store as a precaution because of the nearby Travellers.

A representative from energy supplier Npower confirmed efforts were now being made through the courts to try to remove the group.