Portsmouth City Council await court date to move Port Solent traveller camp on

LEGAL proceedings are being taken to evict 30 caravans from a council-owned field.

By Millie Salkeld

Published 6th Aug 2020, 09:09 BST

Updated 6th Aug 2020, 11:00 BST

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Portsmouth City Council has told The News that the group, staying in a field south of Port Solent, was served a leave notice on Monday evening.

The council team is now awaiting a court date for papers to move the group on.

It comes after residents reported a spate of anti-social behaviour, including the damage of trees planted in memorial to D-Day veterans, since the group arrived.

Travellers on the field opposite car park in Port Solent, Portsmouth on 4 August 2020.

Pictured: Cars and vans on the field opposite Port Solent car park.

Picture: Habibur Rahman — Travellers on the field opposite car park in Port Solent, Portsmouth on 4 August 2020. Pictured: Cars and vans on the field opposite Port Solent car park. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Travellers on the field opposite car park in Port Solent, Portsmouth on 4 August 2020.

Pictured: Cars and vans on the field opposite Port Solent car park.

Picture: Habibur Rahman — Travellers on the field opposite car park in Port Solent, Portsmouth on 4 August 2020. Pictured: Cars and vans on the field opposite Port Solent car park. Picture: Habibur Rahman

A caravan has been destroyed in a fire since police and the council confirmed action on Tuesday night.

Councillor Steve Pitt, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for culture, leisure and economic development, said: ‘We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Port Solent.

‘Our community wardens have completed welfare checks and served notice on Monday evening asking them to leave immediately.

Veterans devastated as D-Day memorial trees are destroyed at Port Solent

Damage done to the D-Day Memorial Copse at Port Solent. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Damage done to the D-Day Memorial Copse at Port Solent. Picture: Habibur Rahman

‘As they have not left the site we are now undertaking legal proceedings and awaiting a court date and time for a hearing.’

Police have received a number of reports regarding anti-social behaviour in Port Solent including more than half the saplings planted for the D-Day 75 memorial ripped up and their protective casings smashed.

A planter on The Boardwalk was also set alight and had to be put out by firefighters.

It is believed a firework was used to cause the fire and anyone with information is asked to phone 101 with the reference 44200292234.

Police have also had two reports of groups eating meals in Port Solent on Monday and leaving without paying. The first, a group of seven dining at Zizzi, ordered food to the value of £73 and the second involved a group eating at Wildwood.

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Anyone with information about either incident should call 101 and quote reference 44200292598 and 44200292503 respectively.

A police spokeswoman said: ‘We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Port Solent and our officers have visited the site to assess the situation.

‘We are working with the landowner, Portsmouth City Council, on this and patrols are being conducted in the area.

‘The encampment does not currently meet the criteria for the police to use eviction powers. Please bear with us as we balance the needs and rights of all our communities with actions that are proportionate, lawful, appropriate, and necessary.’

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