Thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money will be spent clearing up a mountain of rubbish left by a group of travellers on Tooting Common.

Furious residents contacted the Wandsworth Guardian, after a fleet of 19 caravans and cars left piles of waste including timber, rubble and mattresses, demanding those responsible for the mass fly typing be held to account.

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It is also understood the travellers made a makeshift toilet in the ground, which contained human waste.

The travelling fleet arrived on the common, near Bedford Woods, on Tuesday afternoon and were forced to leave on Thursday after being threatened with legal action.

It is yet unknown how much exactly the clear-up operation will cost, but the money will have to be borne by taxpayers.

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Dan Jarvis, from Streatham, said: "Why is the council powerless in this instance? Why can't they just tow them away like they tow away taxpayers cars?"

Carly Bruno, from Streatham, said: "There was less mess after the circus came to town, its going to take an army of people to clear it up."

Balham resident Michael Turner said: "It is a complete disgrace. To just turn up and attempt to destroy our common, with no regard for children who could have could have been playing there."

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Wandsworth Council's park and open spaces managers are working out the ways to stop vehicles driving into the common from Bedford Hill to prevent similar groups from invading the site in future.

Councillor Jonathan Cook, the council's environment spokesman, said: "What has been left behind on the common is an absolute disgrace.

"The culprits have dumped tons of waste in what is a beautiful and much loved wood that exists for the benefit of the entire community.

"Those responsible for treating it as a rubbish dump are beyond the pale and should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves."