Travellers dig up barrier to set up camp in Rose Hill Park, Sutton

On Thursday evening residents reported to the authorities that a group of travellers had forced entry to Rose Hill Park – metres away from their homes.

Neighbours claim they have seen the travellers fly-tipping and dumping building materials. A similar incident happened in Roundshaw Park last week.

David Pioli, who owns his own construction company and lives next to the park, said: “I hate fly-tipping. There are so many dangerous materials there.

“We phoned up the council on Saturday because the travellers were in the process of fly-tipping.

“We spoke to the council emergency office but they said it is nothing to do with them and that we had to speak to the police. We spoke to the police and they said there’s nothing they can do at the moment.

“The thing is they all say there’s nothing they can do but when they leave they will clear up. This time they were in the process of doing it and nobody wanted to come out and do anything about it. Are travellers above the law?”

Travellers have dug up a post to in order to access the park

Another neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, has contacted both the council and the park police. She has become frustrated with the authorities lack of power to do anything until the travellers have moved on. She said: “The whole thing is a shambles – there’s no joined up thinking.”

Last week a group of travellers caused outrage after leaving tonnes of rubbish in Roundshaw Park.

Sutton Council were unable to tell us how much the clean-up would cost but a spokesman said it was likely to be the most expensive incursion they have ever had to deal with.

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