Travellers still parked up at Wolverhampton playing fields
An aggressive dog was shot dead by police at the fields on Sunday.
Travellers who pitched up on playing fields, sparking complaints from homeowners and other members of the public, could still be there in a week’s time.
Dozens of caravans arrived at Windsor Avenue playing fields, Penn, Wolverhampton, on Wednesday.
It is believed the travellers moved from another site in Dudley to the field at the back of Warstones Primary School.
The group, with around 25 caravans, was told by Wolverhampton council to leave the site by 5pm on Saturday.
After they refused to obey orders, the authority has applied for an eviction notice in an attempt to get them moved on – but a court date is not available until July 19.
Residents living near the playing fields have made complaints over noise from quad bikes. They have also said that toilet paper and human waste has been left in bushes.
David Barratt, aged 64, who lives nearby, said: “All I’ve heard is hearsay.
“There have been people on quad bikes riding about. There’s been excrement on the floor. Down towards the school there was toilet paper with excrement on.
“Usually I walk my dog over there everyday. Now everybody has been going somewhere else to do it and none of the public are going down there.
“We were told on Saturday night that they were told to leave by 5.30pm. As far as I’m aware I can’t remember it being a problem in the area and I’ve been here for 30 years.”
Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, said the area had become a ‘no go zone’.
There’s not just excrement in the bushes but they’re leaving it on the main paths too, they said.
“We took the dog over there, it was off the lead running around and ate some off the floor.
“There’s no respect for any of the local residents. It’s usually popular for kids playing there but it’s a mess.”
Wolverhampton council said the eviction process has begun but the order cannot be imposed until July 19.
A spokesperson said: “Our officers lodged papers at the county court this morning to begin the eviction process.
“The next available date the court could give us for the hearing was July 19. Ideally, we would have liked a hearing sooner as we know residents want this issue resolved, but it is entirely a matter for the court.
“We will instruct bailiffs to be on standby for that date should it be necessary for them to enforce the eviction order.
“Often travellers move on before the hearing and we hope this will be case here.”
Meanwhile, a dog was shot by a police marksman at the playing fields on Sunday afternoon – after reports of it running around and acting aggressively.
A vet attempted to use a dart to tranquillize the animal but failed and it was killed due to concerns over public safety.
Force incident manager, chief inspector Jack Hadley, said: “The park was cordoned off as specialists from the force’s dog unit attempted to secure the dog but, due to its aggressive nature, they were unable to contain it.
"Firearms officers were called to the scene and the dog was shot and killed after all other options had been exhausted, as there were serious concerns for public safety.”
