TRAVELLERS moved onto a sports ground in Andover last week, but police initially refused to remove them. 

The group set up camp on Picket Twenty Sports Ground on Thursday, September 14, but Test Valley Borough Council leader Phil North said on social media that police initially refused to use their new powers to remove the travellers.

In a Facebook post on Friday, September 15, Cllr North said: “Despite the likely bolt cropping of a padlock and the fact they were occupying a sports facility that had pitch bookings over the weekend, the constabulary initially declined to use their new powers under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. However, following my conversation with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, late last night, a reassessment was made this morning and the travellers have now gone.”

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Cllr North said that he and the council take a “very robust approach” to unauthorised traveller incursions, which “almost always involve some element of anti-social behaviour, criminality, fly-tipping or the depositing of human waste”.

In August, a group of travellers moved onto a green space, near a children’s play area in Saxon Fields.

Last May travellers set up an encampment on the athletics track at Charlton Sports Centre after failing to breach the open space at Saxon Fields. Around six caravans were seen parked up on the newly refurbished track.

Residents also noticed caravans had pulled up along Churchill Way West, between Artists Way and Portway Business Park on June 3 this year.

Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We have been working with our partners in Test Valley Borough Council in response to an unauthorised encampment that was set up on land at Picket Twenty Way, Andover, on 14 September.

"Police visited the site and engaged with the occupants, before a decision was made on Friday 15 September to serve a notice to leave on the encampment under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

"This enables police to direct individuals to leave the land and remove any vehicles or property they have with them. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. The occupants subsequently left the site.

"These powers can be considered if it is deemed that an unauthorised encampment has caused damage, or disruption or distress to the community.

"Decisions such as these are carefully considered, and on this occasion, these powers were used after police received information on Friday that the encampment would cause significant disruption to events planned at the community centre over the weekend.

"In circumstances where we utilise such powers, we will always ensure that we balance the needs and rights of all our communities with actions that are proportionate, lawful and necessary.

"We work closely with landowners and our partners to ensure that a robust approach is taken against encampments within legal parameters."

Test Valley Borough Council have been contacted for a comment.