Travellers descend on local business park as fears of theft and damage force new security measures

The group, believed to be 15 people, arrived at a commercial car park on Millennium Way at approximately 3pm on Monday, bringing five caravans and four vehicles.

Enforcement officers were deployed to the site at 8am on Wednesday following notification of the situation on Tuesday lunchtime.

The operation is being conducted under common law rights, with all occupants expected to vacate the premises before the end of the day.

The travellers broke through the property's metal gates by cutting the locks, then established their encampment in the car park.

Investigators told GB News that they believe the site was deliberately chosen because renovation work was underway, with suspicions that the group intended to steal materials and copper fittings from the premises.

The property owner is also understood to have suffered considerable financial losses as a result of the incursion, with scheduled redevelopment work brought to a standstill this week.

Safety concerns prompted by the presence of caravans, vehicles and accumulated rubbish meant neither staff nor contractors could access the site.

This led to major disruption to the renovation programme.

Once the travellers have departed, GB News has been informed that comprehensive security measures will be put in place to prevent any return to the site.

The entrance gates will be secured and concrete bollards will be positioned at the front of the property to block future unauthorised access.

These protective measures will create some short-term difficulties for workers needing to reach the premises during the ongoing renovation project.

Staff and contractors will be required to leave their vehicles elsewhere until the redevelopment is finished and permanent access solutions can be arranged.

The property owner has emphasised that maintaining site security remains the overriding priority despite any temporary inconvenience caused.

Jon Spinks is the Director of West Country Bailiffs and leads the operation.

He said: "West Country Bailiffs is a national enforcement agency specialising in property and land recovery, with extensive experience in traveller removals.

"That expertise is what led the property owner to instruct us, knowing we could deliver a swift and effective resolution.

"The owner has acted entirely correctly.

"Time is critical in these situations; the longer an encampment remains in place, the more embedded it becomes, increasing the risk of damage or theft, particularly where a property is under renovation and valuable tools, metals, and copper may be present on site.

Mr Spinks added: "We were instructed at midday on Tuesday, January 20, and our enforcement team was on site by 8am the following morning.

"That prompt instruction enabled us to begin the process immediately and ensure the land was cleared within 48 hours of the travellers’ arrival.

"This swift, peaceable removal has prevented damage to the property and allowed the client to regain control of the site quickly.

"We have also advised the owner on both short-term security measures and longer-term solutions to help protect the property moving forward."

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