Fareham council 'not happy' over traveller camp

A group of travellers who pitched up on recreation land, sparking criticism from a council leader, has moved on.

About 14 caravans and motorhomes pitched on Cams Alders Recreation Ground in Fareham, Hampshire, which is owned by the borough council.

Council leader Sean Woodward earlier said he was "not happy" police had not moved the travellers away.

The Friends, Families and Travellers charity said there should have been "allocated stopping places".

Hampshire Constabulary said the threshold to remove them had not been met.

Thousands of people, including members of the travelling community, are attending nearby Wickham Horse Fair, which takes place in The Square in Wickham on Friday.

An illegal encampment was initially set up at the recreation ground on 13 May, forcing the cancellation of children's football matches.

Mr Woodward previously said: "There are more than six vehicles, they're being anti-social and they're having an effect on the local community. The police can do more, I'm not happy, not happy at all."

He also claimed one of the council's employees had been assaulted by the travellers when he approached them on his ride-on mower.

In response to the allegation, Hampshire Constabulary said: "The circumstances of this report have been investigated and on the basis of evidence obtained by police this has now been filed."

Section 61 powers allow officers to remove trespassers off land.

In a statement, the force said police powers had been used seven times in the last 10 days for "problematic groups".

However, in relation to the Fareham encampment it added: "Following a review of the current circumstances, and in consultation with the landowners, this does not meet the criteria for the use of Section 61 powers at this time."

Friends, Families and Travellers - a national charity that works on behalf of Gypsies, travellers and Roma communities - said: "The fact remains that there is a national shortage of sites and stopping places, giving Gypsies and Travellers little option about where to live.

"'Negotiated stopping' which is employed by organisers of other fairs, including Appleby, is an evidence-based alternative which minimises disruption for nomadic and settled communities alike."

Mr Woodward later told the BBC the travellers had left on Friday afternoon, watched by council staff who were on site tidying up.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].