Residents of a small town in Herefordshire are expressing intense anger after a group of travellers departed from an illegal encampment, leaving behind what locals describe as a 'war zone' of debris and waste. The site, located near the A44 in Leominster, was used last year and has since been abandoned, with photographs revealing a shocking scene of litter, dirty nappies, filthy mattresses, and even a derelict caravan scattered across the area.
Community Outcry Over Abandoned Site
The travellers were evicted months ago following a legal order issued by the council under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which came after numerous complaints from disgruntled residents. However, those living nearby are now calling for stricter enforcement against travellers setting up on illegal sites, arguing that the group responsible for the mess in Leominster has caused significant disruptions and problems in the local community.
Photographer's Shocking Discovery
Dan Jones, the photographer who captured the images of the site, shared his dismay at the condition left behind. He stated, 'We have lots of travellers in this part of the world and most are generally very well behaved and cause no bother. However, this particular group have caused real problems. I was shocked when I saw the state of the site they had camped on. It was literally covered in piles and piles of rubbish and old and burnt-out vehicles. It was disgusting.' Jones added that he believes the group was removed from the land but then relocated to another plot nearby, highlighting it as a persistent issue.
Residents Voice Their Frustrations
Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, strongly criticised the travellers, labelling them as 'common criminals'. They explained, 'No one in power is doing anything to protect the law-abiding people who live in towns around here. These people claim to be living a nomadic lifestyle which is part of their culture but it's rubbish, they're nothing more than common criminals. How can anyone in their right mind think it's ok to leave anywhere in such a foul way? They moved onto the land illegally, left it looking like a war zone and taxpayers will foot the bill. How on earth is that right?'
Notoriety and Legal Actions
The illegal camp gained notoriety in 2025, even becoming a pseudo 'tourist attraction' on Google, where social media users listed it as 'The Backyard campsite'. It received a two-star rating and was described by one reviewer as a 'cultural black hole'. Situated on council-owned land close to the A44 and A49 roundabout, the site also faced legal action last year. A council spokesperson noted at the time that failure to comply with the order could lead to court proceedings, and the authority had exhausted available steps to manage the encampment.
Council's Response and Cleanup Efforts
After the group finally vacated the area, officers from the council's Gypsy and Traveller Team and Environmental Health assessed whether the site could serve as a long-term stopping point. However, this idea was quickly dismissed due to allegations of antisocial or disruptive behaviour and concerns over the safety and sustainability of the plot. The council acknowledged that any waste left behind would ultimately have to be removed by them directly, as it falls under their responsibility to restore the damaged site. Herefordshire Council has been approached for an update and further comment on the current situation.
Residents are now urging the council to implement a greater crackdown on travellers pitching up on illegal sites, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and protect local communities from such environmental and social disruptions.
