'Human excrement' and rubbish left at spot occupied by travellers in Weston-super-Mare

'Human excrement' and rubbish has been spotted on a playing field in Weston-super-Mare recently vacated by travellers.

A group left the location next to Herons' Moor Academy last night (June 6) following an incident in which a boy was reportedly assaulted.

Police have said they are investigating the public order offence on Merton Drive, which prompted numerous locals to arrive and make their feelings known.

The travellers had pitched up late on Wednesday evening, with the primary school having to up its security as a result the following morning.

The cleaning will reportedly have to be done by a third party (Image: Nick Hodder)

Now locals have been left frustrated and disappointed after discovering what the travellers left behind - which has attracted seagulls.

Nick Hodder lives nearby. He told Somerset Live he walked past at around 3.30pm today (June 7) and noticed the mess.

"There was rubbish and even human excrement," he said.

"I spoke to one of the caretakers at the school - they will have to get a third party company in to do the cleaning.

"They [travellers] cause nothing but disruption. It affects people going about their day.

"A group were here before and broke the gate.

"Last time they got them off within the day by using the Education Act, as it was so close to the school."

Mr Hodder said human excrement has been left (Image: Nick Hodder)

Mr Hodder added that he had been affected by travellers who had made base elsewhere in the town, too.

He said: "I play for a local baseball team. Our game got called off recently as they were on Hutton Moor.

"We had to move the fixture to Bristol."

Baytree Rec

Two years ago, hundreds of Weston-super-Mare residents turned out to protest against a group of travellers who had pitched up on the Baytree Recreation Ground.

They left shortly after.

However, Mr Hodder said he didn't think that would have been a good idea last night.

Mr Hodder said: "If you have so many members of the public in one place everyone has to leave, including the originators.

"It's like playing them at their own game.

"But that would have involved kids making up the numbers."

Editor's picks

Travellers have proved a persistent problem for North Somerset Council in recent weeks, arriving in Portishead and Clevedon as well as at various locations across Weston-super-Mare.

It reportedly costs the authority large sums of money to remove them each time.

Police

Officers from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary were called at around 7pm yesterday.

An assault on a boy had been reported.

A spokesman for the force said today (June 7) that the particular group of travellers were believed to have left North Somerset altogether and urged anyone with information to get in touch on 101, quoting the reference number AS-20190606-0888.

He added: "We are aware of images and a video circulating on social media regarding this incident.

"If you have evidence, such as images or video footage that could help our investigation, or if you have information or witnessed the incident we would like to hear from you."

"We understand people within the local community are feeling frustrated."