By Hayley Robinson

Travellers set up camp in Bobbing over the Easter weekend.

Six caravans were on the site in Bramblefield Lane on Good Friday but by Tuesday there were just three left.

The land is owned by road haulage firm Nicholls Transport of Lydbrook Close, Sittingbourne.

A spokesman said: “We are aware they are there and we have contacted the police and Swale council.

“This is the first time we have had a problem with travellers at the site.

“We have visited the site and spoken to them. We asked how they got in when the gates were secure. The hinges on the gate have been cut but they claim they were already like that.

“We have offices there and we had been using the site up until December when the offices were trashed twice over the Christmas period and made unusable.

“It is the last thing we want.

“We believe they are here for the Kent Horse and Auction Fair (due to be held at Iwade over the weekend) and we are hoping that once that has finished they will move on.”

Inspector Evan Jones of Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “An unlawful encampment is a civil trespass and the police have no powers to remove travellers when they stop on private or public land. The role of the police is to assist the landowner or council with the eviction of trespassers from the land.

“However, if the establishment of such encampments results in criminal offences and anti-social behaviour, the police can evoke powers to remove unlawful encampments under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act. We have used this power on a number of occasions to remove encampments from the Swale area when and where the legislation allows.

“As in all communities where there is clear evidence of a criminal offence, the police will enforce the law in a proportionate manner.”

A spokesman for Swale council said: “We can’t take any action as the encampment is on private land but we are happy to work with the landowners in a bid to resolve the issue.”