Travellers forced to move from Allerton Bywater camp

The ten families moved onto private land off Barnsdale Road on April 30. They were forced to move off the site after West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council joined forces following a number of complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour.

Officers served the travellers with a notice to leave, which they did so without incident.

Insp Stuart Mason, from West Yorkshire Police, said: “The use of these powers is generally a last resort when all other attempts to address an illegal encampment have been exhausted.

“The serious issues arising from this illegal encampment and the number of complaints we received created exceptional circumstances, which meant that the use of Section 61 was the most appropriate course of action on this occasion.

“Local residents had reported a range of noise and anti-social behaviour issues linked to the encampment over the ten days they have been there and we liaised closely with our partners in the local authority to resolve the situation.

“We will continue to work alongside the travelling communities, council and other partner agencies to address any issues that impact negatively on the daily lives of local people.”