Around 15 vans arrived on Coppice Farm park in New Invention, Willenhall, on Wednesday prompting worried calls to local councillors from residents. <\/p>\n
The park spreads across the boroughs border with Wolverhampton and the group has settled on land belonging to the city. <\/p>\n
But it has emerged a number of vans have also set up near a Bentley church, arriving earlier this week, while there is currently a group on undisclosed private land in Walsall town centre. <\/p>\n
Walsall Council officers dealt with travellers who had illegally set up camp at the Challenge Building site in the town centre and they have been moved on. <\/p>\n
West Midlands Police and both local authorities are aware of the encampments. <\/p>\n
Willenhall North councillor and Walsall Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Shires said: \"There have been four incursions across the borough with those at Coppice Farm the last to arrive. <\/p>\n
\"So it really does appear that Walsall is being targeted. The sheer volume of incursions is going to stretch the community protection team at Walsall Council.\" <\/p>\n
He added that when he was contacted about the Coppice Farm incursion, he contacted the authority and also alerted his elected counterparts in Wolverhampton. <\/p>\n
Conservative Willenhall North councillor Adam Hicken said residents in the area were worried following incidents last week where a large group of travellers broke into New Invention Junior Schools playing fields, destroyed a fruit tree orchard planting by children and started bonfires and reportedly committed theft and anti-social behaviour in the area. <\/p>\n
The group which had been escorted into the area by Staffordshire Police were finally removed on July 2. <\/p>\n
Councillor Hicken said: \"People are definitely fearful. Ive not had any reports yet of anti-social behaviour or crime. <\/p>\n
\"Im hoping we dont get those following what happened in New Invention so its a case of wait and see. <\/p>\n
\"If they are well behaved and not creating a mess then thats fine and I wish them safe travels.\" <\/p>\n
A West Midlands Police spokesman said all the incursions were being monitored currently. <\/p>\n
A spokesman for Walsall Council said: \"We have been made aware of Unauthorised Encampments (UEs) and the community protection team are working hard to resolve the issues. <\/p>\n
\"Occupants have now vacated the land on the Challenge Car Park, Hatherton Street following prompt action and a forced eviction. <\/p>\n
\"Officers have responded to and are following up the UE on land adjacent to Emmanuelle Church in Cairn Drive. <\/p>\n
\"We have also been made aware of caravans on private land in Walsall Town Centre and have advised the landowners on this matter. <\/p>\n
\"Community protection continue to respond swiftly to all reports of UEs in the borough.\" <\/p>\n
A Wolverhampton City Council spokesman added: \"We are aware of a traveller incursion on public land behind Coppice Performing Arts School. We are liaising with bailiffs and have started the legal process to move them on.\" <\/p>\n
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More here: <\/p>\n
Four traveller groups arrive in the Black Country - expressandstar.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Around 15 vans arrived on Coppice Farm park in New Invention, Willenhall, on Wednesday prompting worried calls to local councillors from residents. Continue reading