Residents of a Folkestone housing estate say they feel "ignored" by officials after an attempt to evict travellers from a car park failed.

An illegal encampment in a car park on Shorncliffe Heights Estate has been moved on today- five days after the group allegedly used their children as 'human shields' to foil enforcement officers' attempts to remove them.

Officers were on the scene at from 8am on Wednesday in preparation to remove the group after it arrived there on Monday.

The group had left the same car park just four days prior after residing there for two weeks, temporarily staying in a car park next to The Range before returning.

One witness said: "The first officers turned up at about 8am, but while forces really started amassing at around 3pm, a proper move wasn't made until around six.

"The travellers must have used that time to formulate a plan, they blocked the entrance to the car park with their cars.

"They took to using their children as a type of human shield and locked them within their vehicles to stop any force being used to evict them.

"The police eventually had to disband because they were unable to force the travellers out.

"It would be wrong to say that I was angry with police, they have an incredibly tough job and they're restricted in what they can physically do.

"However, I do feel that someone - whether it be the council, police or whoever, I don't know - dithered around and gave the travellers enough time to formulate a plan."

Another resident said: "They set up so early, they gave the travellers all the time in the world to think of a plan and blockade the car park.

"There's a flat bed truck there again this morning, and the minute the group saw that they moved their cars back to block the entranceway again.

"Since I started living here in November 2017 there have been approximately 10 traveller encroachments onto the field and land on the estate.

"We're facing the same issues again and again because the council and police have not been proactive in dealing with them.

"We feel ignored by the police and the council and want to highlight this issue.

"We do not feel safe in our homes or feel able to walk around our estate. That in itself is nothing short of disgraceful."

Several other residents sent in photographs documenting the damage reportedly caused by the group over the two week stay prior to this incident.

Images show overflowing bins, and damage caused to various parts of the estate. including a concrete sphere that usually adorns the entrance sign being torn off.

It is believed that the group has now been moved on as of this afternoon.

Police and the council have been contacted for comment.

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