Tactical operations and dog unit offences attended the camp Ribbleton Park, Preston, yesterday afternoon following reports of an overnight theft from a caravan storage site in Euxton. Lancashire Constabulary said they ‘paid a visit’ to the unauthorised travellers camp which was set up on Monday.
One of the five caravans stolen from Euxton was located at the park along with the car used to steal it.
Five other caravans determined to have been stolen were also seized, LancsLive reports.
It is understood two men were arrested in the operation.
Lancs Road Police posted photographs of the caravans on social media with the caption: “After a theft from caravan storage overnight in Euxton Tactical Operations paid a visit to the travellers pitched on Ribbleton Park with Lancs Police Dog Unit.
“One of the five stolen from Euxton was located plus the car used to steal it. Five other stolen caravans were also seized.”
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The travellers’ arrival caused concern for locals who claimed their lives had been disrupted by late night noise and dogs “running wild.”
One resident, who did not want to be named, told the Lancashire Post: “The camp has doubled in size since Sunday. There are now about 60 caravans on the park and the ones who turned up yesterday have fetched horses with them.
“Their dogs are running wild chasing after people who are walking their dogs and they are driving all over the grass in their vans. The noise is just not on at night.
“The police are there, but they don’t seem to be able to do anything to move them on. The park looks a right mess.”
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Preston City Council officers have visited the camp and asked the group to vacate the park.
Robert Boswell, the council’s cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: “We are aware that a group of Travellers have set up camp on Ribbleton Park having gained access via Blackpool Road.
“Officers from the council have visited the site to make contact with the group and we have commenced the process to remove the group from the site.
“Any waste left behind will be cleared when they have moved on.”
Additional reporting by Jon Macpherson.
