RESIDENTS living on an Ipswich estate have today voiced concern after a group of travellers moved onto grassland opposite their homes.Several caravans began appearing on land near the Ravenswood development, between Nacton Road and the A14, around mid-afternoon yesterday.
RESIDENTS living on an Ipswich estate have today voiced concern after a group of travellers moved onto grassland opposite their homes.
Several caravans began appearing on land near the Ravenswood development, between Nacton Road and the A14, around mid-afternoon yesterday.
A number of residents contacted police and the council but as yet the travellers have not been moved on.
One resident of Alnesbourn Crescent, who did not want to be named, said: “I think I would be worried if more of them turned up because it is a residential area and doesn't look very nice.
“If they are here for two or three days it is not a problem but if they are here longer or more arrive I will consider contacting police.”
Another resident said she was surprised police and the council had not acted immediately to prevent the situation.
She said: “We had travellers last year on the same land but police and the council moved them on straight away.
“I have been in touch with them this time and I think it is absolutely ridiculous they are not acting now.”
An Ipswich Council spokesman said: "Residents have informed us that travellers have moved on to land next to Alnesbourne Crescent. If it is confirmed that this is council-owned land we will instigate legal proceedings to have them removed."
A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police said the force would only try to move travellers on if the land owner had made a complaint.
She added: “Police have a general duty to preserve the peace and prevent offences to the person and property, but trespass on land alone is not a criminal offence.
“The prevention of trespass is the responsibility of the landowner and occupier, not the police, and although we have powers to act in exceptional circumstances, civil remedies and local authority powers should be used in the first instance.”
n. Do you think the authorities should act more quickly or should travellers be left alone? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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