A GROUP of travellers who pitched up at the Northern Gateway sports park in Colchester have moved on.

The caravans were sighted in the morning on Friday, July 1, at the park off the A12.

Colchester councillor Martin Goss said he reported the caravans and the travellers have since moved on to Suffolk.

Mr Goss said: “They were given direction to leave by the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit which is standard protocol.

“Police visited the site to deal with residents complaints and the incursion caused by the travellers driving directly through park gates.

“Two bollards were damaged and removed and two padlocks were picked.

“They have since moved on to Suffolk and I am pleased the situation was wrapped up so quickly.”

Data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities showed that in 2021, there were 47 traveller caravans coming into Colchester during one month alone.

An amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was passed on Tuesday, June 28. The bill has given police greater powers to tackle encampments.

The offence will be committed if a person who resides or intends to reside in a vehicle fails to leave the land or remove their property without reasonable excuse when asked to do so.

The maximum penalty will be three months imprisonment or a fine of up to £2,500, or both.