News / Eastville Park
Travellers evicted from Eastville Park
A group of Travellers has been moved on from Eastville Park by police less than 24 hours after arriving.
The scenes on Friday afternoon saw officers escorting scores of vehicles including caravans and vans advertising tree surgery services out of the park and onto Muller Road towards Eastville Interchange.
There were around a dozen riot vehicles from Avon & Somerset Police parked close by, with the operation finishing at around 3pm which left just a pile of fast food litter behind.
It comes after there have been unconfirmed reports that a woman was pushed into the Eastville Park lake on Friday morning.
Police believe the encampment, which was situated in the west of Eastville Park, to be the same group as those on Horfield Common on Thursday and the Downs on Wednesday.
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In a statement, a spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Using our powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, yesterday (Thursday) we issued the encampment at Horfield Common a notice to leave as they were trespassing and causing significant disruption.
“We believe the same group since moved to Eastville Park, off Fishponds Road, Eastville, and we’re engaging with them, alongside Bristol City Council.
“They have since moved on and out of the Bristol area.”
A group of Travellers have been moved on from Eastville Park by police less than 24 hours after arriving
A Bristol City Council spokesperson added: “Using police powers to remove an encampment is very unusual, but the impact on the local community has driven the decision to take immediate action.
“The council’s Gypsy Roma Traveller team is working closely with the police and will be supporting the eviction.
“The council will also clear up and mess that is left behind by the group.
“The vast majority of Gypsy Travellers who pass through the city are law-abiding and respectful citizens and operations such as this are exceptionally rare.”
All photos & video: Betty Woolerton
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