TRAVELLERS have left a field following talks with police...but not before causing some destruction.

More travellers turned up on Squirrels Field in Colchester and were alleged to have cut down trees despite a notice issued by police for them to leave on Tuesday night.

The original group of seven caravans moved on to the field on Sunday night.

Colchester Council, which owns the site, said a team had visited the travellers on Monday and asked them to leave.

However, they were still there the following morning and residents reported fires being started on the fields and the travellers’ dogs attacking other dogs in the park.

Police issued a Section 61 notice, giving them power to remove trespassers if they refused to leave by 6pm on Tuesday. However, yesterday morning they were still there and more had turned up.

Elderly residents said they felt afraid to walk their dogs and photographs showed travellers cutting down trees and burning them.

Highwoods Independent councillor Gerard Oxford said: “We have been bombarded with residents who are extremely angry.

“There were five caravans there on Tuesday evening and yesterday morning there were about 13.”

Residents also complained of damage to the fields.

One resident said: “Not only did they not leave the site, more turned up and they were playing music loudly.

“They have ruined the field with three different fire spots.”

By about noon yesterday, however, the caravans had gone. A horse was left behind but the travellers returned to collect it.

Mr Oxford said a council zone team cleared away left rubbish, which included human excrement and a mattress.

Colchester Council said its teams are looking to secure the field with additional barriers.

Travellers were later reported to be in Langham but it is not confirmed whether it was the same group.

A police spokeswoman said they were at the scene of an unauthorised encampment. She said: “We received reports caravans started arriving at the site in Birchwood Road. Officers are continuing to monitor the situation.”