Angry locals have slammed travellers who 'smashed' through security bollards to camp on seafront site. It's alleged the group broke the bollards installed around Weston-super-Mare’s Beach Lawns to protect it from illegal encampments.
A group of 20-plus caravans snapped off five of the bollards installed around the lawns in order to get onto the seafront to set up camp on Friday night (June 16), It is not known how the bollards were snapped, reports Somerset Live.
The group remained on the lawns overnight on Friday before being moved on by police the following day. Nearly 700 one-metre tall wooden bollards - costing £150,000 - were installed by North Somerset Council earlier this year in a bid to stop illegal encampments on the seafront site.
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Unauthorised encampments cost North Somerset Council tens of thousands of pounds a year in clean up and court costs. North Somerset Council's executive member for business and economy, Councillor Mark Canniford, said the fact the bollards had been breached was ‘disappointing.’
Mr Canniford said: “A group of individuals proceeded to break down five bollards to move their vehicles onto the Beach Lawns on Friday night. It is very disappointing as the bollards have proved successful up until now.
"This is the first illegal encampment of the year. This damage was caused by a group of people that have no regards to the law.”
The bollards are now being repaired. Mr Canniford added: “The bollards are working, but If someone is determined to cause criminal damage to get onto a property, then there is little we can do.
“Normally by this time of year, we have had several illegal encampments of the Beach Lawns. The bollards are working and remain in place.”
The incident comes after a group of travellers set up camp at Uphill Castle Cricket Club earlier in the week. The group caused damage to the club’s sight screens, covers and pitch as well as leaving a substantial amount of rubbish across the grounds.
The group was moved on after club officials appointed a private security firm to deal with the eviction. A number of fixtures have had to be postponed as a result of the encampment.
The club has now launched a fundraising campaign to help with the costs of the repairs. So far, £2,770 has been raised towards the £5,000 target.
A spokesman for the club said: “Everyone at Uphill Castle Cricket Club was saddened and angry to see the damage caused to our ground as a result of the break in. Upon break-in, we contacted a local private security firm to help us remove the trespassers as soon as possible - with the least amount of disruption.
"Unfortunately, this came at a cost to the club, but was a step required to insure the safe and timely return to normal conditions. The police were unable to support us with the club being on privately owned land and the 'visitors' were technically only trespassing.
"We could have taken this matter through the courts, but an eviction would've taken at least three weeks. This was why the decision was made to bring in a private security firm, attempting to quickly solve the matter.
"Fortunately, they were able to move the group on, but not without the costly fees associated. We can only imagine the damage and disruption that may have occurred had we waited.”
The club is now looking at ways to enhance its security to prevent further encampments. The spokesman added: “We have since been advised to erect permanent raising bollards (or similar) at our front gates to stop vehicles.
"A locked gate with a heavy chain doesn’t seem enough to stop unwanted visitors. This of course will also come at a cost to the club but is a crucial step in enhancing our long term security.
"The committee have worked tirelessly over the last week to ensure the club is back to normal conditions as quickly as possible. Of course we were all frustrated with what happened, but most of all we were disappointed that we could not allow our members and guests to use our club as they normally do."
Anyone who wants to donate to the crowdfunder can do so here.
