A recreation ground is turning into a real wreck after travellers moved in and apparently dumped a stash of rubbish in the playground.

Wimbledon Times:

Abbey Wreck. Picture: Craig Bullen 

Three caravans pitched up in Abbey Recreation Ground over the weekend, leaving overflowing bags of rubbish next to the tennis courts.

Metal poles, pieces of wood and cloth are among items discarded across the south Wimbledon playground, causing outrage among parents who say it is no longer safe for children to play there.

A 35-year-old mother who has lived in Nursery Road all her life, said: "There has never been such vandalism and blatant disregard for the recreation ground or the people who wish to use it sensibly and for its correct purpose.

Wimbledon Times:

'Disgusting': Excrement and discarded coffee in Abbey Recreation Ground this morning 

"I am horrified by this and totally disgusted. The travellers are doing nothing for themselves to create a feeling of compassion or understanding from people when they damage and vandalise such green spaces.

"It's half term next week and my children won't be visiting the park until it's cleaned up."

Wimbledon Times:

Abbey Wreck: An overflowing bin seen in the park this morning 

Merton has a long history of attracting travellers to its large parks, but there is only one dedicated caravan site in the borough, with space for just 15 vehicles.

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Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton Council's cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, said: “We’re working closely with the police and have begun the legal process to remove the travellers from Abbey Rec and, although various legal hurdles need to be overcome, we’re doing everything we can to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

"We’ve cleaned the playground and will continue to monitor the area on a daily basis to make sure any mess that’s been made is fully cleaned up.”