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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Conor Gogarty

Travellers pitch up at Bristol leisure centre

A group of travellers set up camp in Horfield Leisure Centre's car park.

According to social media reports, the group was first spotted at the Dorian Road site on Saturday (May 2).

There was a large white Avante caravan in the car park – which has a maximum parking stay of three hours – this morning (May 4).

We have asked Bristol City Council if it will take any action on the encampment.

It comes after South Gloucestershire Council said it will assess reports of illegal traveller camps "remotely" amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Its council officers will only visit sites if there is a "high risk to health and safety in respect to the Public Health guidelines".

Lockdown rules mean people can only go outside if there is a "reasonable excuse", such as shopping for essential items, providing medical help or for exercise.

People have been told to stay close to their home.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said last month: "We continue to work with land owners and relevant partners, such as local authorities, in responding to any unauthorised encampments set up while the current Government restrictions are in place.

“Should any offences be identified at an unauthorised encampment, we will use the powers available to us under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act in the same proportionate way we normally would.

“However, we will be mindful of the need to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 and the need to take into account Government advice concerning travel when considering dispersing unauthorised encampments."

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