Travellers leave Borehamwood park after large police operation

Hertfordshire Constabulary says it became "necessary" for officers to take additional enforcement action to tackle the encampment at Aberford Park.

The group initially arrived at the park on Tuesday afternoon - at least a dozen caravans were spotted scattered across the grass by the skate park.

Hertsmere Borough Council confirmed it had begun legal action to force the travellers on but the court process was fast-tracked and the entire group have now left the park and been escorted out of Borehamwood.

Dozens of officers are believed to have been involved in the operation today with police vehicles spotted at various entrances to the park and in Brook Road.

A police spokesperson said: "Police were called around 4pm on Tuesday April 20 to report an unauthorised encampment in Aberford Park, Borehamwood. Officers attended the area and supported the landowners, Hertsmere Borough Council.

"Initially police powers were not utilised due to the landowners taking action to evict the encampment.

"However, due to aggravating factors and evidence of alleged criminal conduct, it was necessary for police to today (Thursday 22 April) take additional enforcement action under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

"This action to move the encampment on was to ensure the local community were not adversely affected and any further criminal conduct was prevented. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to alleged offences."

The caravans parked in Aberford Park this week

Local councillors have visited the park on a number of occasions ever since the travellers arrived.

Glenn Briski and Michelle Vince have been regularly keeping residents up to date with the situation and been in close contact with the police and council.

After the travellers left today, Cllr Briski, a Conservative ward councillor for Brookmeadow, told the Times: "Many residents have been in touch with me over the past couple of days with allegations of anti-social behaviour and possible crimes being committed. I know we will all feel grateful to council officers and the police for acting so quickly to evict this group of travellers. This underlines the importance of reporting such behaviour to the police and why we can thank our community too for their swift action.

"Residents will no doubt be concerned about the possibility of this occurring again in the future and I am pleased that the leader of the council provided assurances in last night's full council meeting that we will seek to install preventive measures such as wooden bollards as we have done in other parks such as Tempsford Green and Ripon Way to prevent incursions in the future.

"I thank residents for their patience and cooperation while the relevant authorities dealt with this matter."

The encampment as seen frpm Brook Road on Tuesday

Cowley Hill Labour councillor Michelle Vince, said: "It has been two days and it has been unpleasant and difficult. I am glad that it is over.

"Our local police have been run off their feet. I contacted them to ask if they would be able to serve a Section 61 order. Today, they moved them (travellers) on quickly and smoothly. I’m in total admiration and just delighted that we have got the police force that we've got."

Hertsmere Borough Council were going through the courts to have the travellers removed. The council did have an injunction allowing officers to move on travellers on more than 100 public sites without needing a court order, but this has been withdrawn.

A spokesperson explained on Tuesday: "Along with a number of other local authorities, we recently applied to have our blanket injunction withdrawn after it was the subject of legal challenge by traveller communities."