Travellers have 24 hours to quit Common - London

From Wandsworth.gov.uk

A group of Travellers who have set up an illegal camp on Tooting Common have been given 24 hours to leave or face legal action and the seizure of their vehicles.

The Travellers have been served with formal legal notices giving them until 2.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) to move on.

The Travellers, who set up their camp near Tooting Bec Lido early this morning (Friday) have been told they must vacate the common or they will face prosecution and the likelihood of their vehicles being impounded.

Camping overnight on any part of Tooting Common, without prior authorisation from the council, is a criminal offence under parks and open spaces byelaws.

The council also has powers to physically remove any person, and their belongings, including vehicles, if they do not comply with the byelaws.

Residents who witness any incident involving Travellers on council-owned land are being urged to contact the town hall's emergency response team on (020) 8871 6900. This is a 24 hour service. Occupations of other land should be reported immediately to the police.

The council provides an approved Travellers site in Trewint Street, Earlsfield.