Council urged to act over Travellers at Crail Airfield - Fife

From the Courier

Pressure is mounting on Fife Council to take action against Travellers who have been camped for months in countryside near Crail Airfield and who have now torched at least one caravan.

The Courier revealed in August that Fife Council environmental health officers were investigating claims Travellers have caused an environmental hazard by defecating in a picnic area.

Several farmers and residents have claimed a large unauthorised encampment is intimidating visitors, with unproven claims from farmers that Travellers are also causing damage to property.

The Courier has this week been contacted by another dog walker who said the Travellers were continuing to “intimidate” visitors, with birdwatchers among those now too frightened to visit.

The woman has expressed shock at the mess she has come across. She has previously complained about human excrement found dumped next to a picnic area at Kilminning, close to the shore.

However, she said the situation had worsened in recent days with Travellers setting fire to at least one caravan and debris strewn next to a picnic area.

The site in Crail is an annual destination for Travellers who farm whelks from the coastline. Council officials have previously stated that it is not unusual for the group to overstay the length of time they intend to visit. Skips had been provided, meaning there was “no excuse” for dumping.

The initial agreement between Fife Council and the Travellers was that the encampment would reduce substantially by the end of July. While this reduction had not happened, councillors were told there have been “no community safety issues”.

Councillor John Docherty said the problem had increased in recent weeks due to more Travellers arriving from up north, due to a ban on shellfish harvesting in that area.

It is his understanding that two caravans have been torched in recent days with police involvement “ongoing”. He said locals have reported being verbally abused.

Councillor Donald MacGregor said: “We had a meeting last Friday with three Fife Council officials and community council members. We await an email from John Mills (Fife Council official) (regarding our) next steps.”

A police spokesman said: “We are aware of one caravan torched up at the site by the owner. The owner told officers he had done this to ‘clean up the site’. We are satisfied no criminality has been carried out.”

Alan Russell, senior manager, (housing asset management) with Fife Council, said: “We continue to visit the Gypsy Travellers on a weekly basis and held a meeting with the community council last week on site to discuss a positive way forward for all parties. No enforcement action has been taken.

“We are still concerned about the significant size of the unauthorised encampment as the number of Travellers hasn’t changed but, in general, the Travellers continue to work with us.”