PICTURES: Travellers set up illegal camp on Dudley parks

At least 50 caravans were yesterday occupying land on Priory Park and Woodside Park in Dudley and Hurst Green Park in Halesowen.

Residents living nearby aired their concerns and described feeling apprehensive after travellers moved onto the sites.

Dudley Council said it was acting swiftly to remove them and preparing court papers to repossess the parks.

West Midlands Police said they are supporting the council in dealing with the operation.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, said: "We are aware of a number of incidents where travellers have gained access to council run public land.

"Officers are currently dealing with each of the three incidents in Dudley using the powers the council has to get things back to normal as quickly a possible.

"People are right to be concerned when others illegally gain access to spaces like parks and the costs that this brings, but we would like to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to deal with these matters swiftly and appropriately."

Superintendent Phil Dolby from Dudley Police, said: "We are currently supporting Dudley Council to take the necessary appropriate action to move travellers on.

"West Midlands Police and Dudley Council enjoy excellent relations with the borough's many communities.

"We have and will continue to listen to their concerns and do everything in our power to reassure them.

"Where offences are reported we will investigate and take appropriate action.

"We continue to monitor the situation and are liaising with both the council and the travellers."

A high-priced Bentley sports car was pictured among the group of travellers situated on Priory Park, where at least 15 caravans were spotted.

Priory Ward Councillor Alan Finch said: "I'm so annoyed that they've done this to our beautiful park. It is so disappointing – we've just spent a lot of lottery money on developing and improving the park and now this has happened and really upset residents and the friends of the park."

Ken West, aged 75, who lives in the area, said: "They have caused us no issues, but we would like them moving on because of their reputation and the park land has recently been refurbished. Their presence does make us feel apprehensive. "

Around two miles away in Woodside Park, Woodside, more than a dozen caravans with tents were pitched up.

Residents living nearby said travellers had been racing along residential roads and doing 'hand-brake turns.'

One said: "I think it is a disgrace, they should be gone. They have set up there like it's a holiday park.

"Football teams have to pay to use the field, so I think it's unfair." Travellers broke into Hurst Green Park on Saturday night after cutting down shrubs and digging up a metal litter bin.

It was reported earlier this week they had broken the padlock on a barrier and sawn their way through the upper barrier to the park.

Councillor Hilary Bills, ward member for Halesowen North, said: "I just don't understand why the police are not using their powers under section 61 of the criminal code and charging these travellers with forced entry and criminal damage.

"I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the inspector and the sergeant for Halesowen asking why this has not happened. It would appear that travellers are beyond the law."

Priory ward

Councillor Margaret Aston said: "It's the matter of what they'll leave behind which worries me. It's immaculate at the moment, it really is.

"It's such a shame because Priory Park is so beautiful and such a lot of money has been spent on it recently.

"People are up in arms about it they really are."