Police remove Traveller encampment from Chineham - Hampshire

From the Basingstoke Gazette

POLICE moved on Travellers in Chineham yesterday afternoon.

Three caravans had set up an encampment in Hanmore Road, opposite Busy Bee’s nursery. The group arrived on April 16 and police received numerous complaints from members of the public about mess and nuisance in the area. The encampment was also causing an obstruction to the highway.

Police used powers under the Road Traffic Act to move on the Travellers.

One of the Travellers spoke to The Gazette as police were moving the group off the site. Grandmother Mary Price, 49, said: “We had a letter at about 12 o’clock telling us we have to move by 3pm – half of us weren’t here then. There was no need for this amount of police.

“Why has all the taxpayers’ money been wasted, so that the police can watch us move? We said we were moving. Taxpayers’ money is being wasted.”

District Commander Chief Inspector Steve Wallace, said: “In using these powers, Hampshire Constabulary will always ensure that we balance the needs and rights of all our communities with actions that are proportionate, lawful and necessary.

“I hope this swift action to move the Travellers on from locations that were unsuitable will convey to all sections of the community that a robust approach will be taken against encampments within the law.

“We will continue to work closely with partner agencies and private landowners to manage unauthorised encampments and identify repeat locations where there has been criminality or disorder in order to target harden these sites.”