A man from Long Rock has claimed the village park has been "torn up" after travellers set up camp.

The shocked resident claimed that police were called after the group had "taken residency in a tiny village park near Penzance".

Now that the vehicles have moved from the area, which is regularly used by local dog walkers, the man has revealed the full extent of the damage.

He added: "Even the mud they created was too much for even them it seems.

"The field is pretty chewed up and the gate securing post has gone and the fence adjacent to the entrance gate has been knocked over."

The local resident previously said: "They broke into the park by cutting the lock and police attended soon after they arrived.

"The fabulous grass playing areas have already been trashed by their heavy vehicles and the village is now unable to use this highly valued a cared for facility.

"We are heartbroken."

Villagers were 'heartbroken' at the mess left behind

He added that it seems "simply unbelievable that they can just move into an area like this".

Simon Elliot, Cornwall Councillor for Ludgvan said: "The travellers have moved on but apparently there has been damage.

"As I am at work I haven’t been able to get there but I understand a bench was broken and the gatepost wrecked. A lot of rubbish such as used nappies were also left and residents were out this morning to clear up."

He said in a previous statement: "I have been made aware that travellers have broken into the field behind St Justin on Long Rock Industrial Estate (Tolverth Field) and set up an unauthorised encampment.

Travellers set up the encampment in Long Rock

"I met with the police there this afternoon, who were going to inform the group that they had committed trespass, and would discuss it with the councils as soon as they could get through to officers.

"Unfortunately we do not have an official traveller site in West Cornwall, so I understand that they have difficulties finding a place to pitch, but it is a shame that this group have decided to take over a public park, causing damage to the grass that is lovingly looked after by the community and cutting the lock off the gate."

Cornwall Council has confirmed it is aware of the travellers.

A spokesman said: "We are visiting the site to establish the group’s circumstances and intentions.

The gate was broken

"We have a statutory duty to carry out a Welfare, Health and Education Needs (WHEN) assessment of the group and the outcome of this assessment will determine our next steps."

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said previously: "Police are aware that travellers have set up in the area and have notified the council who are the landowners for the site."

Here's everything we know about the law around moving travellers on


The area is used by dog walkers






Where travellers cannot park

Obviously, travellers cannot set up camp on any land they do not have permission for.

Housing charity Shelter gives a list of places travellers cannot park at all and would face immediate eviction.

It's an offence to park

  • on a road or verge or in a layby in a way that obstructs or could be a danger to other users of the road
  • on cultivated land such as farm land
  • in enclosed plantations such as land owned by the Forestry Commission

What about council land?

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Some councils may have areas of waste ground that can be used temporarily by travellers as unauthorised sites.

If they are parked on council land a representative with visit the site and will assess whether they should be moved on or not.

A council rep will need to consider how long they are planning to stay, if anyone is ill, elderly or pregnant - it could be a risk to move them - and any safety issues that affect the site, for example, if it is by a railway line.

The council also need to consider if the number of vehicles is appropriate for the size of the area, what the land is normally used for and whether it's needed in the near future, any potential damage to the land and the effect on the local community.

You should contact your local council and alert them so they can carry out their assessments for the well-being of the travellers and the effects on the local area and community.

What the council has to do while travellers are there

The council may provide facilities such as portable toilets and bin bags for rubbish for the travellers and they would be charged a small fee.

Travellers can ask the council to provide these facilities in the interests of public health.

What happens next?

Local authorities must apply for injunctions and court orders.

The council must firstly show that the travellers are on the land without consent.

Removal time will depend upon when a court hearing date can be obtained.

In many instances, however, a leaving date will be agreed with the travellers to prevent eviction.