Locals clapped as the police forced a group of travellers to leave a Chippenham park.
Officers raced to reports of the incursion at John Coles Park at around 8pm on Monday (28 July).
On arrival, police vehicles were parked blocking the gates – but four caravans, and several cars, had already been driven into the much-loved grounds.
The group refused to leave, with more caravans turning up and discovering their access to the site blocked.
A police sergeant was threatened by one of the men, who told her “I will grab a hold of ya… I will teach you and learn you the law of lessons… that’s what I’ll do to ya, plain and simple.”
In response, she said: “You grab a hold of me you’re coming into custody”.
While present, Wiltshire 999s witnessed aggressive behaviour, threats being made towards the police and the press, and cars being driving around the park with little concern for members of the public.
One woman, who took offence to being filmed, told a police officer: “I’ll be doing him if that goes on social media, for kids pornography fella”.
After liaising with the council, officers offered the travellers an alternative site for one night’s stay – the field opposite The Arc at the bottom of Westmead Lane.
By 9pm, the group had agreed to leave John Coles Park. The gates were opened and police cars were moved, with all travellers out of the grounds by 9.30pm.
Locals clapped and cheered after Wiltshire Police’s successful efforts to move the unwanted group on. One resident also shouted: “Good job”.
Officers proceeded to follow the group as they ‘escorted’ them to the Westmead Lane site. It’s not known whether the group actually took up the offer and remained there overnight.
