Travellers leave Cheam Park - only to move into Nonsuch Park

The group is said to have entered the public space through the London Road entrance after caravans were spotted by residents yesterday evening (July 30).

An Epsom and Ewell Borough Council spokesman said they are aware of the unauthorised encampment and are now following the relevant statutory processes.

READ MORE: Travellers set up in Cheam Park in latest incursion

This comes as incursions were reported across Sutton this month – in Beddington, Poulter, Rosehill, Fairlands, and Cheam parks.

Pleased they are now out of #Cheam Park, just a shame they move round the corner into Nonsuch Park. Hope neighbouring @EpsomEwellBC and @SurreyPolice are on the case. @SuttonCouncil should now use this time to urgently seek a borough wide injunction and secure our parks #Sutton https://t.co/ALjWHqTDrO

— Elliot Colburn (@ElliotColburn) July 31, 2018

In a tweet, Cheam Cllr Elliot Colburn said: “Pleased they [the travellers] are now out of Cheam Park, just a shame they move round the corner into Nonsuch Park.

“Hope neighbouring Epsom and Ewell Council and Surrey Police are on the case.

“Sutton Council should now use this time to urgently seek a borough wide injunction and secure our parks.”

In a statement on July 31, the authority confirmed it is now seeking to impose an injunction across the borough "as soon as possible".

READ MORE: Paul Scully urges council to make greatest use of powers after traveller camps

Cllr Ruth Dombey, the council's leader, as well as the chairman of the environment and neighbourhood committee Cllr Manuel Abellan, confirmed discussions are currently ongoing with lawyers.

It would follow the approach taken by Croydon Council after being forced to deal with similar situations earlier this summer.

Sutton Council’s statement added: “Should we have grounds, we will apply for this injunction as soon as possible.

"We will still be required by law to undertake welfare checks but the time currently taken in seeking a court order would be significantly reduced.

"Alongside this legal approach we will continue to review and improve the physical barriers already in place to increase security - as we have done previously in other parks such as Roundshaw - at the same time as ensuring residents and visitors can still enjoy our parks and open spaces."