Travellers have caused local uproar after pitching 35 caravans on a beauty spot near Richmond, leaving ‘rubbish on the green’ and ‘dumping inflatable toys in the pond’.
Wealthy residents of Ham, a leafy hamlet in west London, have been left up in arms after travellers set up camp on their picturesque village green and flooded it with campervans.
More than 35 caravans were spotted parked on Ham Common, a usually quiet and well-kept nature reserve located in an exclusive area known for its expensive homes and celebrity clientele.
Images today show the green has been overrun by travellers, leaving locals feeling ‘unsafe’ and businesses forced to close their doors.
More than 35 caravans have been parked on the grounds of Ham Common, in west London
Residents have been left furious by the influx of travellers who have taken over the area and have littered the grounds
An inflatable was spotted dumped in a pond at Ham Common this morning
An aerial view of white campervans parked on to the grounds. Richmond Council has said it is working to ‘move them on’ as soon as possible
The trouble of travellers taking over the common has been ongoing for several years, with furious residents regularly raising the issue with the local authority.
Richmond Council alerted locals to the current influx last Friday, writing: ‘We are aware that a group of travellers have arrived on Ham Common.
‘Unauthorised encampments breach our Public Space Protection Orders which prohibit unauthorised access to our open spaces.
‘We are starting welfare checks and the legal process to move them on as soon as possible.’
However, residents were left reeling at the news, with one writing on X: ‘This is beyond a joke now. Local businesses are closed.
Bins were seen overflown as spilling bin bags and rubbish were seen spread across the ground
Shopping bags full of trash were left dumped across the grounds as campervans were parked directly on the green
Residents said they feel ‘afraid’ to go out, with many local businesses including pubs shutting their doors
‘Our business has been threatened twice.
‘Even told they will move into our venue.
‘It’s been reported to Met Police. Local residents are unsafe and the beautiful Ham Common will be ruined. Unacceptable how long this is taking.’
Another furious local questioned: ‘What is being done to stop these hundreds of travellers from squatting on Ham Common and ruining/threatening the community with their lawlessness?
‘Pubs shut, locals afraid to go out. Court order taking a week not good enough. Answers needed.’
An inflatable pool was left dumped in a pond at the nature reserve
The council and police are understood to be working together to resolve the issue
Travellers are seen enjoying the sun outside their caravans in the usually quiet and exclusive area of west London
Along with caravans, multiple cars were also seen parked on the grounds
Meanwhile, one X user, Kathryn Barlow, said human faeces have been left in the area.
She said: ‘Ham Common Woods are out of bounds for local families due to human faeces.
‘What is the council doing to protect local residents and families and move on this group to authorised legal grounds?
‘I was verbally abused by two of the males whilst crossing the common.’
She called on local MP Sarah Olney to action as she added: ‘Neighbours have posted disturbing footage of animals suffering tied up in the heat. Local pub has had to take the economically difficult decision to stay closed.
‘Vehicles are being driven at some speed round/over the common.’
A woman pictured standing atop a campervan
While the council said they were dealing with the issue, locals asked why the travellers had not yet been moved on
A spokesperson for Richmond Council said: ‘Unauthorised encampments breach Richmond Council’s Public Space Protection Orders, but the Council is required to go through a legal process to obtain and enforce a Possession Order to move travellers on.
‘Proceedings have been commenced and a High Court hearing for a Possession Order has been fixed on Thursday.
‘The Council, along with Park Guard and the Police, will continue to liaise with the group and monitor the site and once they move on will ensure all waste is removed and damage is repaired.’
