A Nottinghamshire MP has taken matters in to his own hands in a bid to prevent green spaces being used by travellers.
Conservative MP for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, blocked the entrance to a park in Selston by using a forklift truck to move a boulder and prevent access to the beauty spot.
His actions were caught on camera on Thursday, August 20, when Mr Anderson said he'd "had enough" .
The MP is also calling on Ashfield District Council to take tougher action on travellers, stating over the past two years the area has become "a hotspot".
The leader of the council, Jason Zadrozny, has described the act as "showboating", stating the Government has "let down" places like Ashfield.
The council also pointed out the Woodnook Recreation Ground in Selston, where the boulder was placed, is not the responsibility of Ashfield District Council.
Mr Anderson said: “Over the past two years Ashfield has become a hotspot for illegal camps with travellers moving from one site to another with very little preventative measures put in place by Ashfield District Council.
"It is becoming past a joke when you consider Eastwood and Brinsley next door in Broxtowe never have a problem but in Ashfield it is becoming a weekly occurrence.
"Over the past few days two camps have set up locally and when concerned residents in Selston contacted me to say they had seen strangers looking at the gates to the park I decided to act as this park has suffered from illegal campers very recently.
"I have seen plenty of talk about robust action from the Ashfield Independent Council Leader but very little action.
"Now is the time to step up and find solutions not hollow promises."
The council state since 2010 it has taken on the costs that run into hundreds of thousands of pounds to deal with illegal trespass despite the Government 'promising to do something'.
Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny said: “The Conservatives have let us down big time in places like Ashfield.
"We have a Conservative MP showboating about this issue when the reality is that as a Tory – he should be apologising for the inaction of his Government.
"This money could be spent on play equipment and other park improvements.
"Instead, it’s going into the pockets of lawyers as we take onerous action to move them on."
