TRAVELLERS are still camped on land off Ombersley Way in Droitwich despite attempts by Wychavon District Council to evict them.

The 14 caravans and campervans forced their way onto the council-owned land on Thursday, September 25, with Wychavon giving them notice to quit the same day.

Residents have presented a petition of more than 300 signatures to Wychavon District Council asking for a faster process to remove travellers from the land.

One resident claimed that the encampment was disruptive, with constant noise, while dog walkers and runners were put off using the space because of human excrement on the ground. However the council has received only a small number of complaints from residents near the site.

Ian Marshall, head of legal and support services at Wychavon, said: “We have taken all reasonable steps to secure our land. We could not have moved any quicker with the legal process.”

The Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team has monitored the situation since the travellers arrived, checking cars on the site to ensure there are all taxed and insured, as well as listening out for complaints from local residents, although none have been received so far.

Sergeant Sarah Kent said: “We’ve received no reports of anti-social behaviour yet. The district council tend to get more calls than we do, and things don’t always get reported, but we can’t do anything unless we receive complaints.”

Following the last time travellers set up camp on the site in June, Wychavon District Council has taken action to prevent them entering the field again, digging a 135m ditch and bund structure along the roadside boundary, but the travellers have cut through a padlocked gate to re-enter.

The travellers were ordered to leave the site by Friday, September 26, and the council took the matter to court on Monday, September 29 to commence legal proceedings.

They now have until Friday, October 3 to clear the site before the matter goes before Worcester County Court.

Sgt Kent added: “Unfortunately the process is what it is, it’s set down in law. They have to have two clear days before they quit, which takes it to Friday. It’s not that the district council is dragging their feet they’ve moved it on as rapidly as they can.”

If anyone has experienced anti-social or criminal behaviour, they can contact West Mercia Police on the non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.