Green spaces across the county have been left damaged and degraded as a group of travellers moves around, pitching up wherever possible.

After first popping up in West and North Watford at the start of August, the group has since been seen “tearing up” the common in Chipperfield and attempting to access the cricket pitch in nearby Kings Langley before settling in Park Avenue, Bushey, on Friday.

Once they have been moved on, residents have been shocked to discover mounds rubbish and piles of human excrement left in their wake.

Watford Observer:

Fly-tipped waste left in woodland behind a traveller encampment in Watford

One of the main problems, it seems, is that as soon as the travellers are moved from one site, they are able to set up camp in the nearest park or common they come to.

This has led to local figures demanding more joined up thinking between local authorities and the police.

Cllr Asif Khan, whose North Watford ward was blighted by travellers dumping waste in woodland behind King George V Playing Fields, said a measured response was needed rather than a kneejerk reaction.

“The local authorities and police need to work together. When they enter a site, they need to be given expectations about anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping,” he said.

“If fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour persists, it needs to be followed through with legal action. I know austerity is cutting police budgets and they are not doing enough but they need the funds from central Government.”

After the travellers were moved from Chipperfield Common last Friday (August 11), they immediately tried to access Kings Langley Cricket Club.

Watford Observer:

However a group of residents took matters into their own hands, blockading the pitch with their cars. 

Jennie Lydon, welfare officer at the cricket club, said she does not have a problem with the traveller way of life but objects to the damage and destruction they often leave in their wake.

“If you have got nowhere to go and think everyone hates you then you are going to act in a certain way,” she said.

“If the powers that be don’t do anything then the problem is just going to carry on. At the moment they are just moving the problem on. No-one is helping us protect our green spaces.”

After being denied entry in Kings Langley, they drove to Park Avenue in Bushey and set up camp there, refusing to move when requested.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said in a statement: “We fully appreciate this is an issue which can cause a great deal of frustration for residents, especially as there is often perceived to be a lack of police action. However, we do take these matters very seriously.

“Trespassing in itself is a civil matter and, in the first instance, the responsibility to evict trespassers lies with the landowners. Police will assist them with the process and continue to monitor the situation to ensure that no crimes, such as criminal damage, are subsequently committed.

“Over the past few months there has been a lot of work on-going behind the scenes with our partners at the county council and we will continue to work together to try and find a long-term solution to the issue of unauthorised encampments being set up in the area.”

Dacorum Borough Council said: “There are strict legal processes to follow when moving any encampment on and the course of action taken is dependent on who is living there and their personal circumstances.

“We have used a wide range of initiatives across the county over the years to protect council-owned land and prevent unlawful encampments, for example using barriers and trenches. When there has been illegal encampments in Dacorum, we have worked with the other authorities to move these on swiftly and peacefully.”

Hertfordshire County Council has a dedicated gypsy and traveller team, which works closely with both the borough councils and police. The team also liaises with all gypsy and traveller sites in the county, carrying out legally required welfare checks.