Trench warfare... as villagers try to keep out travellers
VILLAGERS living in ‘terror’ of a traveller gang are demanding trench fortifications to block the return of the ‘unbearable’ group.
They are calling for the ‘Stone Age’ defences to stop a repeat of aggressive and antisocial behaviour that shattered the tranquillity of their small West Yorkshire community when about 30 vehicles set up an illegal encampment.
The group was eventually evicted but two weeks ago locals awoke late at night to find travellers attempting to force their way back in. A few of the 1,126 villagers faced down their tormentors but now want a permanent deterrent.
‘People are terrified. They can’t rest easy in their own homes,’ local Tory councillor Bill Armer said.
‘I’m urging Kirklees Council to dig a ditch and bank – the old Stone Age-style of fortification.’
The former pit village’s troubles began at 10.30pm on June 16 when a group of travellers in a dozen vehicles broke through a fence and set up camp on a field next to a children’s playground.
More vehicles arrived during the following nights until there were around 30 caravans.
One resident said: ‘For the most part we say live and let live but they were so awful. It was unbearable. They were vile, awful people.’
The council secured a court order to evict the travellers but they left the day before they were due to be forced out.
Workers spent a week clearing up the mess, as well as placing boulders behind the fence to act as a deterrent. However, two weeks ago, four travellers tried to move a two-ton boulder and smash down a fence.
Around a dozen locals came out to confront them and used a pick-up truck to push the boulder back and drag four full bottle banks over to the gate as a further deterrent.
A spokesman for travellers’ charity Friends, Families and Travellers said: ‘We cannot and should not attack entire communities for the actions of the few.’
Kirklees Council did not respond to a request for comment.