Terrorised by travellers

COBHAM and thames Ditton in Surrey are not the only towns that have suffered from parks being taken over by travellers (Mail). In the past two weeks, travellers have invaded open spaces where I live.

Shops have closed because more stock has been stolen than has been sold, diners in restaurants have been terrorised, cricket pavilions have been damaged and there have been attempts to steal dogs from gardens.

Within the borough, there are 48 authorised sites, but these are not used by the travellers.

What makes matters worse is that the council has stated in the local plan that it intends to provide 112 more gypsy and traveller pitches and 19 travelling showman plots, but what is the use of offering more when the existing sites are not used?

And what have the police been doing? Nothing — frankly, they are a disgrace. the local councillor and head of environmental services cleared one park of the disgusting waste left by travellers, but the police were noticeable by their absence while the damage was being done.

It is time legislation was put in place to deal with people who live beyond the law and ensure redress for the people who have to pay to clear up the mess.

Name supplied, Runnymede, Surrey. I RECEIVED no help from the police after I reported a theft. Even when I found some of my property was for sale at a local traveller camp, the police did nothing.

I wrote to my MP, who denied rural theft was reaching epidemic levels, but his researcher foolishly forwarded me an email from the chief of police to the MP. It stated that the police would not proceed with my case because they had carried out a risk assessment and would not enter a travellers’ site.

RICHARD RAWLINGS, Worcester.