Police visited a traveller incursion in Chippenham yesterday (Tuesday 13 June).
Approximately six officers attended the illegal encampment alongside the River Avon in Monkton Park at around 8.30pm – carrying out checks on vehicles.
The news threatens the highly anticipated Chippenham Pride event, which is due to take place at the location on Saturday (17 June).
Locals allege some members of the group have been riding around on petrol-powered modified bicycles, putting the lives of people visiting the park at risk.
“It’s just a cheek, we have to pay to live here and yet they come along and ruin it for everyone”, an anonymous resident told Wiltshire 999s.
They added: “I’m all for traveller sites and I know most of the community are respectable, but taking over a local beauty spot and causing issues for people who use it is not on.
“A couple of them have been having great fun on a motorbike-type thing, it’s very loud. My friends on the other side of town say they’ve seen it near them too, so they get about.”
The encampment is relatively small in comparison to recent similar incidents across the county, with about six caravans and six vehicles on site.
It is not yet clear when the group plan to move on. Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police have been approached for comment.
