More than 30 travellers’ caravans who spent the weekend camped in front of the Horseshoe pub on Siston Common moved off last night.
Police increased patrols in the area to offer reassurance to the community but did not issue a Section 61 notice to evict the travellers after being told by them that they would be leaving on Sunday evening. By 10pm last night they had all gone.
Following a call from a member of the public who had concerns that there was a dog fight taking place on the travellers’ site on Saturday, officers attended but said it was quiet with no activity.
Members of the beat team attended yesterday to check there were no issues and said all the animals were in good health with no injuries.
Travellers also camped illegally on this section of the common last summer and today local councillor Ian Adams said he had asked South Gloucestershire Council to again consider implementing “physical protection” on the land to remove future legal and resource costs for the already stretched council and police services.
Two years ago, following weeks of occupation by travellers, bollards, a ditch and a bund were installed on a nearby section of the common (Siston Park) and a bank there was extended to prevent vehicles driving on to the open space. However, a group managed to breach the security this summer. There have also been incursions on other parts of the common including near Norman Road and Chesley Hill.
The issue of travellers is expected to be raised at this Thursday night’s meeting of Siston Parish Council.
