Worried residents watch on as 'travellers take over local park'
Residents steered clear of the area and a nearby cafe closed early amid rumours of anti-social and 'aggressive' behaviour after the 12 caravans when two motor homes, plus 16 cars and vans set up at Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Police and council officers scrambled to the illegal camp to ensure the occupants - who appeared to be eating and drinking at they sat in camping chairs around a table with children playing nearby - were aware it was 'unauthorised' and legal action might be taken.
Frustrated locals complained about the invasion, which ignored a sign stating 'No overnight parking'.
Visitors in vehicles also normally have to pay to park there or face a fixed penalty charge.
One woman, who didn't want to give her name, said she'd read on Facebook that a café in the park had closed early because of the travellers.
She said: 'We went in to get an ice cream but they said they were closing unexpectedly. Other people said it was because of the travellers.'
Another woman, who gave her name only as Aneta, said her boyfriend had warned her to be careful after reading unsubstantiated claims about the group on Facebook.
Aneta, 30, who had been going for a walk in the park, said: 'My boyfriend just messaged me because he saw on Facebook they were here and he told me to leave immediately.
'He saw on Facebook that someone said it's not safe here and that they were abusing people.'
A woman in her 70s, who used to work in administration for the police, added: 'It's never happened here before.
'I know they used to be somewhere near the Tesco roundabout for a while and they seemed to leave a lot of rubbish.
'This is a wonderful park and we don't really want caravans here.'
Another man said he wasn't "bothered as long as they don't leave a mess" but added: 'Once they're here it's hard to get them to leave.'
The Grounds Café in the park was closed and a sign on the door read: 'Due to unsociable and aggressive behaviour we have had to close early for the safety of staff and customers.'
Nowton Park is a 172-acre site which used to be part of a country estate. Paths lead through large deciduous trees planted a century ago.
The area is a magnet for families, particularly during the summer, due to facilities including football pitches, a maze, lakes and a bird feeding area.
Wide gates lead to the car park where users have to enter their vehicle registration when they pay to park. Those that fail to do so face being fined.
A sign states: 'A Penalty Charge Notice will be issued for: no ticket displayed, parking outside the bays, invalid ticket, parking in a Blue Badge bay without a valid Blue Badge.'
The travellers - who declined to comment when approached - are thought to have driven through the gates at some point on Tuesday night and across the car park to park into the clearing where they circled their vehicles.
A council official was speaking with a park ranger about the travellers when the Mail arrived this afternoon.
The official said the council was taking steps to remove the group but declined to say more.
A similar number of caravans and associated vehicles stopped in the car park of an Asda superstore in nearby Stowmarket on Monday before leaving the following evening - although officials and police couldn't say whether it was the same group.
The sign stated it had closed early 'for the safety of staff and customers' due to 'unsociable and aggressive behaviour' in the vicinity
The travellers ignored signs warning that overnight parking at the public park was banned
A spokesman for Mid Suffolk District Council, which covers Stowmarket, said the camp had caused 'concern... within the community' and the spot was 'a critical area for town centre retailers and attractions during the summer holidays'.
He added: 'We were immediately in contact with the landowners and offered support to resolve the situation legally and as swiftly as possible.
'Our teams have also cleared up the mess that was left.'
A spokesman for West Suffolk Council, which includes Bury St Edmunds, said: 'We are aware that 12 caravans, two motor homes and 16 cars and vans have set up at Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds.
'Both the police and officers from the council have visited the group to make them aware that the encampment is unauthorised.
'Traveller Welfare will be speaking to the families to check on their needs. The group have been issued with bin bags in which to deposit their waste.
'We manage this public park and will be looking to get it back to its community use as soon as we can, which may include undertaking a legal process if required.'
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