Villagers say they have endured days of trouble after scores of travellers pitched up at a popular park.

More than 20 caravans were scattered along the field at the Pottery Recreation Ground in Hoo from Friday.

Now, after five days described as a “nightmare” by some locals, the group finally all left by 10am today after being moved on by the authorities.

But parents, homeowners and businesses say they have been left reeling from behaviour, which saw shops shut and people staying inside.

Meanwhile, the police have revealed they received more than 20 calls regarding problems.

It's thought the travellers made their way onto the green space through a gate just off Main Road.

Kim Lillingham, who runs a school holiday sports group at Hoo Primary School, said people felt frightened to walk through the park for days and the usually packed road became empty.

"It has been an absolute nightmare for the past few days," she said.

"There was a lot of mess left behind and shops closed their doors.

"A lot of the travellers starting moving off yesterday after being told they were being evicted and that's when a lot of arguing started.

"It was right around the time children were leaving our sports club, and there was a lot of shouting.

"Lots of people were frightened and we had to consider pushing back the finishing time as we didn't want to let those who walk home on their own leave.

"It was also really concerning for parents who were picking them up. We wouldn't care if they pitched up and respected our village but they've left loads of mess – even going to the toilet outside the caravans – and have been a nuisance.

"People were worried to walk through the park in case they're abused or worse.

"It was a sigh of relief when they eventually left – there was so many of them they parked all around the field and the final two went this morning."

One home owner in Pottery Road, who lives a stone's throw away from the field, described how she felt too frightened to walk her dog in the evening.

The 25-year-old said: "It's been absolute carnage here since they arrived. They've been shouting abuse at people walking through the park and swearing.

"People, myself included, avoided walking through there.

"There was rubbish everywhere, as well as faeces left on the floor.

"There were kids with small motorbikes riding around the field at 8pm making loads of noise.

"We heard they had broken in through the gate after cutting the lock just off Main Road.

"I think the council or parish council should look at getting some sort of concrete block to stop them getting in."

Main Road resident Darren Wilson says he was frustrated after feeling unable to take his sons to the park.

He said: "It's completely selfish of them and they've ruined a few days of fun during the summer holidays for my boys and other children.

"We heard about them coming in on Friday, and some of the abuse they've been giving local people, so we avoided it.

"I'm glad to see they're gone now, but something needs to be done to prevent it happening again.”

Crescent Stores shut after problems with children who weren't from the village, according to the owners who were critical of the police response after they said they’d had about £250 of goods stolen.

Karishma Patel, whose father owns the business, told KentOnline: "The thefts started on Friday and it's had a double effect on us as we were losing out on money and people were avoiding the shop because of the travellers in the field nearby.

"One of the worst parts was how slow the police were to react. We spoke to loads of customers and heard there were at least 10 crime reports to police but they didn't come out, or told us they didn't have the power to do anything.

"It's not helpful for us as we're left to defend ourselves and bring in extra staff to man the doors. It's just added stress we don't need. They (police) seem scared to do anything about the travellers.

"It wasn't all the children from the site, as some came in and paid for the bits they had, but loads were coming in and taking bits from us. We were forced to only let two or three people in at a time.”

A police spokesman said: "We received calls about an unauthorised encampment near Pottery Road, Hoo, on Friday. Officers liaised with the landowner and attended the site the same day.

"Between Friday and Tuesday, we received 23 related calls which were made via 101 and 999.

"Of these, eight were notifying officers of the encampment while the remainder were reporting various concerns and offences, including a dog-on-dog attack, shoplifting offences and nuisance vehicles.

"An online report to notify police of the unauthorised encampment was also received.

"Officers have attended the area and carried out relevant inquiries to obtain details of any criminal offences which may have been committed and inquiries are ongoing.

Cllr Ron Sands (Ind), who represents the Peninsula ward, said: "They were just a nuisance but I'm glad it's all over now.

"They robbed the children of the village of their park and people who use the park for dog walking.

"There were lots of incidents which forced some shops to close and we've had to have security experts come out to check the gates and security of the park.

“We're also getting a proper clean-up team out tomorrow (Thurs) to sort the fields as they've hidden some faeces and whatnot in the bushes.

"It's the nuisance factor which is the worst of it - the mess and shoplifting.

"I went down there a couple of days ago and they were polite enough to me and another councillor. They know the game better than we do. I'm just glad it's all over now.

"If anything, it has sharpened us up to it now and anything like it in the future. But it's a pity we have to start thinking like that and look at getting extra fencing or security measures."