Residents in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, are enduring a living nightmare after more than 20 caravans and motorhomes set up two unauthorized camps just a mile apart. The first encampment appeared on parkland in the town centre, mere yards from the police station and £750,000 Regency-style homes. A second camp emerged at Ford's Fields community park, roughly six minutes away by car.
Barriers Removed, Fears Grow
Fed-up locals claim that the travellers removed steel barriers installed to protect Jephson Gardens, the park opposite the first site. Despite council officials visiting since the travellers arrived on Saturday, the caravans remain unmoved. Photographs show adults sunbathing and children playing in the warm weather, but residents fear the park is now a prime target for future illegal camps.
One resident stated: 'The barriers were placed on the park to stop exactly this from happening, but the travellers have proved it's no deterrent. Leamington is rich in parks, and what we fear is the town will be seen as a soft touch for traveller camps. People say they don't stay very long, so what's the fuss, but word spreads—once this group moves on, another group will just turn up.'
Taxpayer Burden and Frustration
Another local, living nearby, remarked: 'All who say they aren't doing harm, just remember the council have to clean the site when they have gone, which is taxpayer money.' An elderly resident added: 'Since we moved to Leamington 20 years ago, almost every green space is taken over at some stage by travellers. It's just not right that people living lawfully and paying taxes should expect to pick up the bill for groups of people who believe they are somehow above the law. The rubbish these people leave is awful too. Travellers have made this beautiful town hell.'
The camp is pitched just 400 metres from Warwickshire Justice Centre on Newbold Terrace, which houses a police station and law courts. Despite this proximity, Warwickshire Police have not taken action, stating it is a council matter. Locals near Ford's Field reported large bonfires and barbecues lit nightly since the travellers arrived.
Council and Police Response
Warwick District Council has served a Notice of Direction on the Newbold Terrace East encampment, requiring occupants to leave by Thursday 30 April. A spokesperson said: 'If they fail to vacate, then the Council will apply for a court order to obtain possession of the land. This is a separate unauthorised encampment to the one at Fords Fields, for which our solicitors have commenced legal proceedings. The Council has supplied refuse bins to both sites and will continue to monitor the areas with partners including Warwickshire Police.'
A police spokesperson added: 'We were made aware of an unauthorised encampment on Newbold Terrace East shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday. Officers are engaging with them and working with our partners at Warwick District Council.'
National Trend of Land Grabs
This incident follows a series of traveller 'land grabs' across the UK in recent weeks. In Alford, Surrey, a group transformed a rural field into a 17-plot 'gated community' on April 2, complete with a sign for a new 'illegal' farm. In Sundridge, Kent, around 30 lorries arrived over Easter weekend, dumping rubble and flattening it into a hardstanding site while council offices were closed. One resident who tried to stop the encroachment was arrested. In Burpham, Guildford, woodland was chopped down to create an encampment over Easter, with men in hi-vis installing gates and fences. In Flamstead, Hertfordshire, police launched an investigation into alleged threatening behaviour, criminal damage, and illegal tree felling after a travellers site appeared overnight on April 2.
