A GROUP of travellers who set up camp on a Kendal playing field have been given 24 hours to leave.

Residents of Kendal raised alarm when a group of caravans and other vehicles were seen to be pitched up on playing fields just off Sandylands Road in the town.

The caravans were first seen to be trespassing on the land, which belongs to South Lakeland District Council, on the evening of Monday, August 1.

Following the reports, Cumbria Police attended the scene on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 2 along with SLDC officers, in an attempt to resolve the issue.

A police spokesman said: "Officers will be joining South Lakes District Council as they conduct a visit to the site today. 

"We respond to such matters from a multi-agency perspective."

Meanwhile an SLDC spokesman said on Tuesday: "The council's Locality Team is working with Cumbria Police to engage with a group of Travellers who arrived on the council's playing fields at Sandylands Road, Kendal, on Monday evening (1 August).

"Council and police officers will be visiting the site this morning (Tuesday) to engage with the Travellers and to advise them that camping on council land without permission is unlawful. 

"A welfare assessment will also be carried out.

"We are hopeful that the situation can be resolved swiftly and amicably without any recourse to legal action."

Following the on-site meeting, an SLDC spokesman said on Wednesday, August 3:

“On Tuesday afternoon an officer from the Council’s Locality Team, accompanied by Cumbria Police, attended the playing fields at Sandylands Road, Kendal, to engage with the Travellers camped there.

"The Travellers were advised that camping on council land without permission is unlawful and they were respectfully asked to leave within 24 hours.

"The situation will continue to be closely monitored and we are hopeful it will be resolved swiftly and amicably without any recourse to legal action. We wish the group a safe onward journey."

SLDC Councillor Eamonn Hennessy, who represents the Ward of Kendal East, said: "Council officers are following the correct procedures with regards to this and we ask that residents remain patient and tolerant while the matter is resolved".

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