Travellers pitch up in public play park

Travellers have defied an eviction notice to leave a public play park in Newark.

Newark and Sherwood District Council said it was ready to forcibly remove them but could not do so until police could provide adequate support.

The council served an eviction order on Friday giving the group 24 hours to leave the Cedar Avenue play park.

Bailiffs, with police in attendance, attempted to enforce the order at 2pm on Saturday but the Travellers refused to leave.

In a statement yesterday the council said: “This land is owned by the Gilstrap Trust and operated by the district council as an open space and play area.

“The council is working jointly with the trustees and has put in place appropriate measures, including the service of notices upon the group, instructing them to leave.

“The council is ready to remove the unauthorised encampment using the powers available to it, however, it is unable to do this without the presence and support of the police.

“Unfortunately the police are not in a position at this time to allocate sufficient resource to assist the council with this issue, particularly following the incident in Manchester.

“The council is continuing to work proactively with the police to secure the group’s early removal.”

A police spokesman said: “We are working closely with the council to look at our options and bring about an appropriate resolution for all involved.”

The area’s district councillor, Mrs Gill Dawn, said: “I hope this comes to a conclusion as soon is reasonably possible.”

The Travellers moved to the play area after leaving the Friendly Farmer A1 roundabout site where they were served with an eviction order.