Traveller invasion in Oakridge (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Traveller invasion in Oakridge
3:27pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in News By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter
Traveller invasion in Oakridge
TRAVELLERS have invaded playing fields in Oakridge this afternoon.
Twelve caravans and campervans turned up at the Sherborne Road Playing Fields, in Upper Sherborne Road, entering through a gate, which may not have been secure.
Geoff Scrutton, gypsy and traveller liaison officer at the borough council, said: “It is council owned land and they are trespassing on it. I have asked them to leave.”
He said some of the travellers had been parked in Houndmills, Basingstoke, while others had come from army land in Aldershot.
He added: “What I will do now is conduct welfare checks and ask if they have any needs in terms of health and education. I will go back and apply to the legal department for a notice for them to
leave the land.”
Mr Scrutton said he hoped the travellers will be moved on within the next 14 days.
Three police officers arrived at the site this afternoon and talked to the travellers, but refused to comment to The Gazette.
Comments(4)
Cynical Reader
says...
9:47pm Fri 3 Aug 12
Best_Name_Ever
says...
7:30am Mon 6 Aug 12
Sam_Walker123456
says...
1:29pm Tue 7 Aug 12
Sam_Walker 123456 wrote:I don't often find myself agreeing with anything Sam_Walker, mind the gap, 123456 says but I do find the use of the words 'invasion' and 'invaded' inappropriate. The travellers peacefully occupied this playing field. They did not roll their tanks into Oakridge. But their occupation is illegal and I am glad to learn that they have moved on, with or without police assistance.
Only cowards hate honest hardworking decent traveller communities and I resent the implication that they have invaded anywhere, like the British Army has done countless times. It makes them sound like illegal immigrants. They are superior in every respect to everyone.
Sam_Walker 123456 says...
8:49pm Fri 3 Aug 12