Travellers move into park in Littlehampton amid calls for better security measures

According to Sussex Police, the force was made aware of a group of travellers arriving at the site near Water Lane, Littlehampton, at around 8pm on Wednesday, August 19.

Officers visited the site and carried out an assessment alongside West Sussex County Council, who said they had served the travellers with notices to vacate the land.

A force spokesman said they would ‘continue to monitor the situation in liaison with the council, and officers will maintain a visible presence in the area with regular patrols’.

Town, district and county councillor Ian Buckland was contacted by concerned residents and reported the incident to the police.

He said: “They have cut through the metal work, sawed through the padlocks and towed the big concrete blocks away to get access to the park.”

Residents also reported to Ian the antisocial driving of a small motorbike in the park by one of the travellers, and he in turn urged the police to speak to the young man.

A police spokesman said: “We have received reports of a motorbike being driven in an anti-social manner. Strong words of advice have been given to the motorbike rider and his mother, and officers will continue to monitor the situation.”

Ian called on Arun District Council, which owns the land, to install better security measures so travellers could not access this spot so easily in the future.

“This happens year on year,” he said. “We as a council are obviously failing in our duty to protect that park.”

He added: “They need to have something more substantial in place to stop this from happening, and whatever costs are brought to make that happen, ultimately the taxpayer will be paying for it.”

He cited mounding on the seafront greens which prevent trailers from being driven over them, or a robust security fence, as examples – although he recognised the need for workers to get into the park to cut the grass.

Ian felt it would be cheaper long term than the costs associated with evicting travellers each year, and said the pandemic was slowing down the process this time.

Arun District Council said: “The land at Water Lane in Littlehampton is public open space, owned and managed by Arun District Council.

“Travellers have again gained access to this land; this follows the council putting in place various measures following a traveller incursion last year.

“These measures include soil bunds, concrete blocks and steel bollards.

“However, the travellers were witnessed removing some of these items using their vehicles and tools.

“We are very disappointed that access has again been gained. We had thought the preventative measures put in place last year would have been enough.

“We are reviewing arrangements at the site following this incursion and will learn any lessons that can be taken from this.

“It is clear that where there is some determination to gain access to our valued greenspaces, then some individuals will take any action needed to do so.

“The eviction process is managed by West Sussex County Council who are dealing with these issues on our behalf in liaison with Sussex Police, but we share the frustration of residents that this process takes time to complete, which is compounded by the courts’ suspension of possession hearings due to Covid-19 at the current time.”