A parish council has told a group of Travellers to remove their caravans from a village green by 8pm this evening.
Yapton Parish Council said police had today (Thursday, July 30) served notice on residents of an unauthorised encampment on the King George V Playing Field in Yapton, giving them a strict deadline by which to leave.
A spokesman for the parish council said: “This afternoon the police served notice to residents of the unauthorised encampment on the King George V Playing Field in Yapton and requested that the caravans leave by 8 pm this evening.
“Yapton Parish Council has previously installed bunds around the field to prevent this type of situation.
“It will be working to secure the site as soon as possible.”
Travellers parked on the Yapton recreation ground on July 25 (Image: Supplied)
Sussex Police confirmed they were aware of an unauthorised encampment in Yapton.
A spokesman said: “Officers have completed a site assessment and continue to monitor the site.
“We are assisting partner agencies and the local authority to resolve the issue.
“Anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour or offences is asked to report them to Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote serial 1576 of 24/07.”
An enforcement notice has now been issued (Image: Supplied)
West Sussex County Council said the land in question was owned by Yapton Parish Council and that any enforcement action would be for the parish to lead.
A council spokesman said: “We are aware of an unauthorised traveller encampment on King George’s field in Yapton.
“This land is owned by Yapton Parish and they are responsible for any enforcement action.
“We have been in touch with Yapton Parish Council to offer advice and guidance.”
Councillor Amanda Worne spoke to the Travellers in person (Image: Cllr Amanda Worne)
Read more
Hospital evacuated after reports of ‘chemical smell’ prompt huge emergency response Man says he bit into metal screw in sandwich from popular food shop Multiple arrests made after reports of a 10-person fight at a residential address
The latest developments come five days after parish council chairwoman Amanda Worne, who is also an Arun District Councillor for the Yapton, Ford and Climping ward, issued the Travellers with a verbal notice of eviction.
In a Facebook post, Cllr Worne said the travellers she spoke to had indicated they intended to leave by July 28.
They agreed to keep the site tidy, confirming they had bin bags for their rubbish, she said.
She said she had raised concerns about the risk of fires on the field and had been told the group had a fireplace and would not light any fires directly on the grass.