The travellers had arrange camp on open land at Outdated College Lane to the north of the town earlier this month, earlier than relocating on the weekend to an space of sports activities pitches at Belmont Abbey off the A465 to the southwest of Hereford, the place round 14 caravans and campervans stood till yesterday night (April 14).
The positioning is known to be leased by the abbey, a Benedictine monastery, to native youth soccer cub Toros FC, which has already needed to cancel a youth soccer occasion deliberate on the pitches.
West Mercia Police inspector James Ashton mentioned officers had been “conscious of native considerations round an unlawful encampment”, and had been “working with companions, together with landowners and the native council, to discover a decision to the state of affairs”.
“We’ve obtained a small variety of experiences of crime and anti-social behaviour in these areas, that are being handled appropriately by our officers,” he mentioned.
“I’d encourage anybody who has considerations round anti-social behaviour or crimes to report them to us in order that we will take motion.”
Earlier in a now-deleted Fb publish, Toros had urged members and supporters to contact the authorities concerning the camp, “as there isn’t a signal they’re going to transfer on simply”.
The publish alleged the travellers “have induced felony injury to our property and used threatening behaviour in direction of members of our membership”.
A follow-up publish then mentioned that “as a result of overwhelming response, Herefordshire Council have politely requested us to not ship in any extra experiences or considerations”, stating that “as our floor is personal land, they don’t have any jurisdiction over it”.
“We’re within the strategy of acquiring authorized recommendation from a neighborhood solicitor, and because of meet a police officer shortly,” the membership mentioned.
The newest replace from the membership, posted late on April 14, confirms that the travellers have moved on and alleges: “Sadly, the injury left behind is in depth and heartbreaking, with 1000’s of kilos value of kit to interchange and garbage and mess to scrub up. This consists of damaged and stolen goalposts, paint thrown throughout our clubhouse and containers, smashed glass tables, sharp steel and different objects scattered in all places, tyre marks and garbage.”
An area resident, who requested to not be named, mentioned: “I opened the blinds on Sunday morning to see the caravans – I used to be a bit shocked.
“We have now since altered how we use the sector. I’ve been strolling my canine earlier, whereas they’re nonetheless in mattress.”
Toros, Herefordshire Council and Belmont Abbey had been additionally approached for remark.
