Security stepped up as travellers move in

Security has been stepped up after travellers who have plagued Wolverhampton for six months set up camp alongside three city centre car showrooms packed with luxury vehicles.

A satellite dish and a barbecue have already been set up by the travellers on the council-owned land opposite Wolverhampton Audi and the Benham BMW and Mini showrooms. The first caravan pulled onto the patch of grass in All Saints on Sunday and five others have arrived since.

Several expensive cars, including a two-year-old Audi, were parked on the site, at the junction of Raby Street and Powlett Street, along with a couple of trucks.

The group is known to have been into at least one of the showrooms wanting to be given the complementary hot drinks normally offered to customers.

Staff at one of the showrooms, who did not want to be identified, said today: "They have been sitting in the cars, requesting hot drinks and asking to use the toilet.

"There were two caravans here on Monday morning and four by the end of the day. Then the others arrived.

"We have stepped up security but there have been no major problems so far."

Two wooden bollards were wrenched out of the ground to allow vehicles to drive over the kerb and across the pavement on to the grass, which includes a small childrens play area and is now scarred by tyre marks

One resident of Raby Street, who also asked not to be named, said: "A lot of elderly people live around here and they are worried about the problems that could be caused by these people moving in.

"This is a popular route for shoppers walking in to the city centre."

Council officials comfirmed the travellers were part of the group that has been moved on from 10 different sites in the city since March.

Bob Sullivan, Wolverhampton City Council's principal officer for public health, said action was being taken to move them on.

He said: "The city council will be appearing at Wolverhampton County Court on Tuesday to seek a possession order.

"If we are granted this we will endeavour to take possession of the land immediately."