Travellers move onto field - just weeks after boy bitten by dog at nearby camp
Travellers have pitched up on a field used by dog walkers and families - just weeks after another camp yards away was moved on when a boy was bitten by a dog there.
Twelve caravans parked on the council-owned land known as Swannie's Field off Goscote Lane in Walsall and council bosses are now trying to get them removed.
The first caravans arrived on Wednesday evening with more following yesterday.
It comes after a boy was bitten on the leg by a dog belonging to travellers who moved on to the old Goscote Estate across the road in May.
The 15 year-old schoolboy was taken to hospital and treated for a leg wound.
It is not known if these are the same travellers but one ward councillor says the group who pitched up nearby in May have been moving from one site to another.
Councillor Pete Smith says they are switching from land owned by the council and Walsall Housing Group property.
Councillor Smith said: "I have received reports from local residents that caravans are parked on Swannie's Field.
"One resident has complained to the police that they must have broke the lock off the gate to access it.
"I am concerned that this land - council-owned public land, well maintained by the council - is well used by members of the local community, especially parents and children, as a short cut.
"Parking on Swannies will be much more visible and likely to cause local reaction.
"Their presence may well inhibit the use of this land by members of the public, especially if, as we have had before, there are untethered dogs on the site."
Two camps with a total of nine caravans and associated vehicles were first reported on the old Goscote Lodge Crescent highway on May 12.
Some moved on but Walsall Council was forced to seek a court order forcing the five caravans from the land.
They had then moved onto the grass land, which is the responsibility of Walsall Housing Group, so a fresh notice to vacate the area needed to be prepared.
The borough has been plagued by travellers with more than 60 illegal camps recorded last year, at a cost of £30,000
Councillor Smith added: "They play this cat and mouse game. Because the 'highways' on the old Goscote estate is council-owned but the land where the houses once stood is WHG land, the travellers there can easily play a game of moving from one ownership to the other."
