Travellers moved off fields
Travellers set up camp on playing fields in Stourbridge but moved on six hours later after police were called. Travellers set up camp on playing fields in Stourbridge but moved on six hours later after police were called. Around 25 travellers gathered on the site, next to Mary Stevens Park, in Stanley Road, yesterday at around 8am. The camp consisted of seven caravans, three lorries and 4x4 vehicles. Residents nearby called Dudley Council and police to report the matter and officers arrived at the scene quickly. They met representatives from the group who said they were just taking a break from travelling from Manchester to Warwickshire. It is believed the travellers originally planned to stay at the site overnight but instead they broke camp early yesterday afternoon and left for an undisclosed location. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Around 25 travellers gathered on the site, next to Mary Stevens Park, in Stanley Road, yesterday at around 8am.
The camp consisted of seven caravans, three lorries and 4x4 vehicles.
Residents nearby called Dudley Council and police to report the matter and officers arrived at the scene quickly.
They met representatives from the group who said they were just taking a break from travelling from Manchester to Warwickshire. It is believed the travellers originally planned to stay at the site overnight but instead they broke camp early yesterday afternoon and left for an undisclosed location.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said it had been a surprise to see the camp on the site first thing in the morning.
"We did not hear them come on to the site so they must have come to the site quite early this morning," he said.
"They moved on early in the afternoon and a police presence was on the site throughout the day.
"The travellers seemed cheerful and did not cause any trouble I could see. They were apologetic to drivers caught up in the process of them leaving.
"I think they were on the fields around six hours or so before they moved on."
Inspector Phil Boardman, from Stourbridge Police, confirmed the travellers had only intended to take a break on the field and had no intention of setting up their permanently.
"The travellers co-operated fully," he added. It remains unclear how the group got on to the site which is normally used a recreation ground for people in the community.
