Travellers set up camp on Portsmouth playing fields

A small number of caravans were first seen at the area of the field near to Western Road just before 11 pm last night.

The security team at the nearby Lakeside 1000 Business Park locked the main entrance gates and the access gate to the bypass at 10.46 pm, after being made aware of the travellers’ presence. The side gate was still locked today.

A lorry driver, who was parked up on the road last night, said: ‘I saw them parked up late last night and they were still here in the morning when I came back.’

Portsmouth City Council, which owns the playing field, has been informed.