From the Herald Express
TRAVELLERS have pitched up at the home of a Torquay cricket club.
They moved on to Torbay Council land in Cricketfield Road below Barton Cricket Club late on Sunday.
When the alarm was raised, Torbay Council arranged for overnight security to ensure others did not turn up.
Ward councillor Robert Excell said they were parked close to a hedge below the cricket pitch on the site which is next to Torquay Academy.
The two caravans and vans were still on site yesterday though Torbay Council has started legal proceedings to get them moved on.
The club and the council have asked them to avoid the cricket pitch square. The club has been able to continue games.
Cllr Excell said a gate on to the pitch had been left open, but the council was not legally able to close it behind them to deter others as it could be classed as 'entrapment'.
The club has helped supply the Travellers with water.
Cllr Excell said: "There is not a lot we can do as the gate had been left open.
"We had an internal meeting with officers on Monday and are going through the correct procedure.
"I have been up every day to make sure they are OK and to ask that while the process is under way to get court orders they respect the cricket square.
"The key message to clubs is if you don't want people to trespass on your grounds make sure they are secure."
A spokesman for the club said the cricket pitch is leased from Torbay Council.
He said: "We have spoken to the Travellers and helped them access water. Everything is amicable at the moment. They have agreed to keep to the bottom of the field."
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