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Diss Town Council considering measures to prevent more travellers




Council officials are considering putting measures into place to prevent further incidents after a convoy of travellers set up camp on Diss Park over the weekend.

A three caravans and three seperate vehicles arrived at the site on Friday, and remained there until Monday morning after being handed a number of notices by police and council officials.

Residents in nearby Denmark Street said that, while the travellers where generally polite and left behind no litter, they should not have been able to set up camp on a public playing park.

Officials are considering measures to prevent further incidents after a convoy of travellers set up camp on Diss Park over the weekend.
Officials are considering measures to prevent further incidents after a convoy of travellers set up camp on Diss Park over the weekend.

After being alerted to their arrival, Diss Town Council contacted Norfolk Police, who, in turn, attended the scene and issued a code of conduct notice against unauthorised encampments.

This was followed up on Monday morning by staff from Diss Town Council, who used the powers associated with Section 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1988 to issue a notice, stating that the group of Irish travellers had to vacate the park by the end of the day, which they did.

The latest incident marks the second time in 12 months that the park has been used as a transit site for Travellers.

A spokeswoman for the town council said they were “considering what measures can be put in place to stop future occurrences”.

Council leader Simon Olander added that, at this early stage, however, it was unclear what these measures may be.

“It would be premature at this point to state what measures can be implemented,” he said.

“But, please be reassured that any measures taken will preserve the unique character of the park.”

Both Diss Town Council and nearby residents confirmed that no litter was left behind, yet some residents voiced their disquiet that the travellers were allowed to set up on a public park.

Margaret Evans, 84, who lives in Denmark Street and whose garden overlooks the park, said: “They were quite decent really, but this is a public park for children.

“They need a parking space so they don’t get in the way of the children.

“They shouldn’t be parked where the play area is.

“It would be good if there was a parking place where they are not in anyone’s way.

“If I parked a car on there, people would definitely object.”

Jane Le Surf, 59, who also lives in Denmark Street, added: “They were okay. There was no rubbish, there was music playing but it doesn’t trouble me at all.

“There’s often teens in the park and I like to hear people enjoying themselves.

“It’s a difficult one because there’s lot of fear and animosity towards travellers, but these people should be provided for – and there should be travel sites with proper sanitation available.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said: “Police attended Park Road in Diss on Saturday, September 11, following reports of an unauthorised encampment.

“Officers worked alongside the council, engaging with the group over the weekend and the convoy, made up of three caravans and three vehicles, left the site on Monday morning.”



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