PILES of builders' rubbish have been found dumped in a field, following the departure of a group of travellers who had set up camp nearby.
The travellers were spotted in the field behind the Health Centre in Mably Way, Wantage, on August 5.
Police were called to the field but claim they did not have the powers to evict the group. No cautions or arrests were made, though the police said they engaged with the landowner and health centre.
READ MORE: Travellers cause chaos in Wantage starting fires on fields
Following the departure of the travellers on Sunday, piles of metal poles, wood, plastic baskets and other refuse were found – with nearby householders insisting the waste may have been left by building contractors unconnected to the group.
While on the field, the travellers were visited by police on a second occasion after a dog walker reported that a fire had been lit.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and police read out the code of conduct.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "Officers are aware of a small unauthorised encampment on land behind The Health Centre. Officers have given the code of conduct to the travellers and engaged with the landowner and the medical centre.
"We received a report of a fire at the encampment at around 7.50pm on August 6.
"Officers attended along with colleagues from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished a small fire."
READ MORE: Bonfire spreads out of control destroying FIVE buildings in Oxford
Mayor of Wantage, Jim Sibbald, said he was aware of the encampment but also believes the rubbish left behind may have been left by builders.
"We understand travelling communities," he said. "There is a need to support them and in general they are well behaved but there are some who are not. But you can say that about any part of society. We have people everywhere who are like this and we can't treat people the same just because one person did something wrong."
READ MORE: Overgrown hedge in Oxfordshire dubbed an 'absolute joke'
-
Read more from this author
This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.
Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland
A message from our Editor
Thank you for reading this story and supporting the Oxford Mail.
If you like what we do please consider getting a subscription for the Oxford Mail and in return we’ll give you unrestricted access with less adverts across our website from the latest news, investigations, features, and sport.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok for more.
You can also join the conversation in our Facebook groups: stay ahead of traffic alerts here, keep up to date with the latest from court here, share your favourite memories of Oxford here, get your daily dose of celebrity news here and take some time out with news that will make you smile.
If you’ve got a story for our reporters, send us your news here. You can also list an event for free here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel