Police found cannabis at travellers’ site

An unofficial travellers’ site in Shadoxhurst has been raided by police who discovered a stolen vehicle and a cannabis farm.

Residents said travellers moved onto the former TK Banbury Transport Ltd yard in Blindgrooms Lane in May and have been living in a single caravan and old buildings.

When officers went to the site at 6.45pm on Friday they found a van that had been reported stolen from an address in Margate Road, Herne Bay, and found cannabis was being grown. It is believed it was being grown in a small lorry.

Police confirmed three men were arrested – a 30-year-old man a 23-year-old were arrested on suspicion of the theft of motor vehicle and a 52-year-old was arrested on suspicion of the theft of motor vehicle and cultivating cannabis.

All three men were from Sittingbourne and have been bailed until Tuesday, December 2 pending further enquiries.

In an added twist, Ashford Council has confirmed it is investigating as it believes the travellers are living on the land illegally.

Speaking yesterday (Wednesday) a spokesman said: “We are currently inves- tigating a case at the site mentioned where we believe there is unauthorised residential use.

“The owner was given the opportunity to make a planning application and the time given to them to do this is due to expire today.

“If an application is not made then we will consider what action is in the public interest but no decisions on what action is appropriate have been made.”

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “The travellers cause endless problems. There is so much anti-social behaviour and a lot of noise.”