Travellers returned to a popular car park in the seaside town of Great Yarmouth this week, leaving residents furious. The camp was set up on Monday afternoon (August 24) and removed within 24 hours by the local council.
The encampment at Beach Coach Station Car Park arrived at around 1pm. It comes after a near-identical camp was erected at the car park last summer before the occupants were eventually moved on by council officers.
Council responds swiftly
The latest arrival was reported to Great Yarmouth Council, with officers ensuring the group departed around a day later. A council spokesman confirmed: "The council has visited the group and is now working with partner organisations to ensure the motorhomes move on promptly."
It later added: "The travellers who had been staying at Beach Coach Station car park have now moved out of the borough. We have been working closely with the police and partner agencies to manage the situation and ensure the appropriate steps were taken."
The council also thanked local residents for their "patience and understanding" while they worked to remove the travellers.
Local reaction
Angry locals took to social media to react, with some noting a concern around other incidents elsewhere. Daniel Candon, Conservative Councillor for Bradwell North, Great Yarmouth, said in a Facebook post: "Enough is enough. We once again have an unauthorised traveller encampment in Great Yarmouth refusing to leave.
"I have never known a time when councils and landowners have felt so hamstrung by poor legislation made by those in Parliament when dealing with situations like this. My message to the police is pretty straightforward. Use every power available. If they have no lawful right to remain, remove them. Now. Residents rightly expect the law to be enforced quickly and fairly. One set of rules. Whoever you are."
A host of locals commented on the post, with Samantha Vanderpal noting a similar group of travellers in Lowestoft, a town located around 10 miles south of Great Yarmouth. She said: "I read about what happened in Lowestoft last night with this or a similar group. Shops and businesses shut early, there was violence and destruction. At what point will the police be given powers to seize vehicles, and detain without the need to wait for a slow and outdated court process? I have no issues with travellers when they are tidy and respectful - I’ve known many. The sudden influx of whatever these people are is something different."
Anne Dodson added: "They will all be parked along the seafront and south denes like they do most years." Will Hampton put: "There have been a group parked near the big wheel for ages some have multiple parking tickets but still there."
Police action
Mr Candon later wrote: "Great news. Myself and Borough Council colleagues pushed the police to use tougher measures to remove the illegal travellers on Beach Coach Station. Most have now left. The police are now working on moving the rest. We will be cleaning the site and securing access once again. This needs to be the firm standard applied to all who encroach on public land and refuse to move."
