Police and council called to traveller camp in London Colney
Travellers on the grounds of Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, London Colney. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
A group of travellers set up camp behind a leisure centre in London Colney.
Travellers on the grounds of Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, London Colney. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
The travellers pitched around 21 caravans on Thursday behind Cotlandswick Leisure Centre in High Street.
St Albans council’s solicitor Charles Turner said: “Two traveller groups set up an unauthorised camp last Thursday on the Council’s open space at Cotlandswick.
“We immediately began the legal process to remove them and we obtained an order from St Albans Magistrates Court today (Wednesday) instructing them to leave the site. A bailiff is now serving this on the travellers who will then have 24 hours to leave.
“In the meantime, our officers have been talking to the travellers about their responsibilities and the police have also visited the scene. We have a team on stand-by ready to inspect the site after the travellers’ departure and carry out any clearing up that may be necessary.”
Travellers on the grounds of Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, London Colney. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
A Herts Police spokesperson said: “Police are aware of travellers currently in the recreational ground in the High Street, London Colney.
“The local Safer Neighbourhood Team are liaising with both the travellers and the local council in order to monitor the situation.”
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London Colney councillor Simon Calder said: “I know there was some disruption at the football game on Saturday. I had a couple of calls from residents who were concerned.
“Last year in London Colney we had five or six incursions, and I don’t know how we’re going to deal with it.”
Travellers on the grounds of Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, London Colney. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Parish councillor Dreda Gordon said: “There have been travellers on this site before and the district council needs to secure the site and stop this happening again. I’m on London Colney Parish Council and we’ve had similar situations, and we’ve made sure that there are railings up to stop any further incursions onto our land.
“The council were putting in security because there was an important football match at the weekend and they didn’t want any disruption. People were able to come and go despite the 21 caravans being in situ.
“The same group had tried to go into parish council land up at White Horse Lane but fortunately the parish grounds staff parked on the land to block their entrance.”
The travellers left the site on Thursday (September 20) as per the bailiff’s orders.
Travellers on the grounds of Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, London Colney. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
