Travellers 'evicted' - only to camp a mile away

A LARGE group of travellers who caused outrage by setting up camp in a disused parking lot have sparked fresh controversy by moving on - to a new site less than a mile away.

Earlier this week residents claimed there was a near riot during a tense four-hour stand-off after the group set up an illegal encampment in a disused oil company car park in Abbey Road, Aberdeen.

Residents claimed they were confronted by travellers who threatened them after they were prevented from moving caravans on to the grounds of a former primary school.

But it was revealed yesterday that the travellers had left the site, after being served a legal notice, only to set up camp less than a mile away in the St Fitticks Community Park, near Balnagask Golf Course. One local resident parked his car in front of the gate to prevent more travellers gaining access to the park.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am so sick of these people. I decided to pull up in front of the gate to stop any more people going in. But it wasn't long before the police told me to move on."

Another, Jane Linden, 42, said she was horrified when she saw the travellers moving in. "We usually walk around here to keep fit because it is much nicer than walking around the streets, but I think we'll be staying away just now," she said.

"We have a caravan ourselves, and what I do not understand is that when we go on holiday we pay 18-36 to stay on the site, but these people pay nothing."

A meeting is to be held in Aberdeen in the next few weeks amid fears rising tensions between the travelling community and local residents throughout the North East could soon flare into a major flashpoint.

Grampian Police have revealed more than 300 complaints have been made about the behaviour of travellers during the first half of the year. And Councillor Kevin Stewart, the deputy leader of the city council, called for the talks earlier this month after warning a meeting of the Grampian Joint Police Board that a major incident could "kick off" unless a solution was found.Travellers and residents' groups are be invited to the talks, along with police and representatives from the local authorities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, as well as the Scottish Government.

Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam said: "I am disappointed we have had yet more incidents but it just highlights a need for authorities to assess the clear difficulties in the current arrangements."

Inspector Jim Hume, the force's Community Engagement Inspector, said: "When considering our response to an unauthorised encampment, it is imperative the force can justify any actions in terms of legality, necessity and proportionality.

"To achieve this, we must take a balanced view which respects the rights of both the gypsy-travellers and the resident communities. We recognise the concerns that are raised in our communities and seek to alleviate these where we can."

However, he added that police have no authority to remove people from sites unless there are "very specific" laws requiring them to do so.

Pete Leonard, the council's director of housing and environment, said: "We have a duty to provide a balance between the needs of both the settled and travelling communities. But antisocial behaviour or unlawful activity will not be tolerated.."

The travellers insist they have no choice but to set up illegal encampments as the only designated site at Clinterty is full.