Travellers move on, but leave a mess behind

An illegal encampment of more than ten caravans had been occupying Harbury Lane recreation ground since May 17.

Warwickshire Police were reluctant to evict the travellers as one of the women at the site was due to give birth.

But after the baby was born last Tuesday, Warwick District Council said it was preparing to have the two groups of Irish travellers evicted.

Travellers who broke into the field last year left human excrement behind. Residents writing to the Courier this week alleged the latest group left paths in a similar condition.

One Whitnash resident, who asked not to be named, said a skip was overflowing and refuse, a gas canister and chairs were littering the field.

He said: “It’s going to take quite a bit of cleaning up. It’s what I would expect.”

• See the Courier letters page for reaction to the encampment.