ANGRY residents have said that a group of travellers have shown a compete “disregard” for land they have encamped on.

The Gazette has received numerous complaints about a group of travellers which have gained access to the playing fields near the Hampshire FA site in Winklebury Way.

Residents have complained about fly-tipping and criminal damage as well as there being noise and disruption to the community.

People living in the area have claimed that the group have been there for more than a month and the police and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council are not doing enough to move them on.

One resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “They [the borough council] state action is being taken but an increasing amount of fly tipping, human excrement and no-go areas due to threatening behaviour and roaming dogs are making the area a total misery for locals.”

They added: “The build up off dumped waste is appalling and needs to be stopped.”

Another resident, who lives near the playing fields, added: “They broke the gate to get into the field and the police have just done nothing about it despite me seeing them on the site.”

The borough council has obtained a court order and went through legal proceedings with the traveller group yesterday morning.

Tom Payne, interim head of Environmental Services at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “There are currently two separate encampments in Winklebury. The council recognises the concerns raised by local residents about these unauthorised encampments and is currently taking legal action to regain possession of this land.

“A hearing took place at Basingstoke Magistrates Court this morning (Wednesday) in relation to the smaller encampment. This camp has been ordered to vacate the site by noon on Wednesday 18 July, following a funeral on Tuesday, 17 July.

“The second and larger encampment arrived on Sunday, 8 July.

“Council officers visited the site on July 9 and we are taking legal action to recover possession of the playing fields as quickly as possible.

“Once the sites are cleared we will be looking at further steps that can be taken to deter any future encampments.”

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it has attended the site after being contacted by residents and will ‘continue to assess the situation’.