Travellers move into school car park but we don't mind, say parents - London

From the Sutton Guardian

The overwhelming feeling of parents at the school gates when the Sutton Guardian visited on Tuesday was the Travellers had been respectful to the school.

One mum, who has Travellers in her family, said: "If they had a place to go they wouldn’t have to keep going anywhere like school premises.

"Obviously being on school property isn’t ideal and most parents would be worried about the children but at the end of the day they have nowhere to go.

"I understand that being next to the school is wrong but they’ve got nowhere to go. They need help - give them a bit of land.

"Who wants to wash their kids in front of a load of people?"

Another mum, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "You’ve got to take your hat off to them - they could have filled that place up but out of respect for the teachers they haven’t.

"They are just a little family looking for somewhere to stay - they must feel safe there.

"It is sad. But obviously being a school there are other parents who are worried - people are very quick to judge."

The school declined to comment on the Travellers.

The council is issuing a court order to the Travellers to leave the property by 10am on Monday.

A council spokesperson said: "The council is exercising the maximum of its legal powers to deal with the problem."

What the parents said:

“They have got nowhere to go – that’s why they are there. They deserve somewhere to go – just not here.”

“I don’t understand it personally – if you’ve got children here why do they want to live like that. I’m sure the council would house them if they asked for it. I think they should find them somewhere proper. It doesn’t make sense.”

“So long as they are not causing any harm. But I think they could have been a bit more considerate than use a school car park.”

“They have been alright in there – they haven’t caused any havoc. It is a bit bad they are in school car park but they are not causing any problems.”

“The thing is if you move them off there – where are they going to go? Move out the area completely or move to another school? I don’t want them there but they are not causing any nuisance.”