A group of travellers have finally moved on after being camped outside a youth jail for almost a week – but left the area in a state and refused to clean up unless they were provided with bags.

About 20 caravans and vans arrived outside Cookham Wood young offenders’ institution in Sir Evelyn Road, Rochester, on Sunday, August 21, and were ordered to move on immediately.

They were served a legal notice by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, August 24, which ordered them to move by Thursday afternoon, but the families remained.

It is understood they came to the Medway Towns for a wedding, and wished to remain in the area to look for work, but left around 6pm on Saturday.

But residents have told the Mayor of Medway and their ward councillor Stuart Tranter that there is human excrement and used toilet paper littered around the camp, as well as bags of rubbish.

They said they have been kept awake from the noise of the travellers’ generators and dogs barking at all hours.

Cllr Tranter spotted the travellers moving onto the site and has now asked residents to contact him about the impact the camp has had on their lives to help with future discussions about how to tackle the problem and improve the security of the site.

Speaking to KentOnline's sister paper the Medway Messenger, he said: “It’s all very, very unpleasant.

“Everybody’s very upset at what’s happened but are very relieved that they have gone.

“I’m concerned that we won’t learn lessons for the future.

“They said they would clean up if we provided bin bags and the prisons service gave them water, but we don’t negotiate.”

In a letter sent to residents, he said: “Unfortunately, it is a mess, and I shall be requesting it is cleaned up as quickly as possible.”