RESIDENTS are being advised to avoid a village recreation ground after an unauthorised encampment was set up on the land.

On Monday, a camp of approximately 20 families was set up at Botley High Street Recreation Ground.

The site is owned and managed by Botley Parish Council which has had to cancel events usually held on the site including football and cricket practice.

Nearby schools have also been told not to use the park and stride service with residents advised to “stay away”.

Chairman of Botley Parish Council, Cllr Colin Mercer said the council is following the “proper processes to have the travellers removed” but admitted that it has left councillors feeling “very annoyed at this inconvenience and the damage that has been caused”.

“It’s caused a great deal of upset and disruption. This is the first time that this has happened in Botley.

“We’re getting support from other parish councils as well as the borough who have had this experience previously.”

Councillor Mercer added that damage has been caused to the ground from the members of the encampment “driving around on it” and now the council has established it was a “forced entry”.

Eastleigh Borough Council officers have also visited the recreation ground to request that the members of the encampment leave and are monitoring the situation.

A council spokesperson, said: “The Council will follow its normal procedure for dealing with unauthorised encampments.”

Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes, wrote on Twitter: “I’ve been speaking with Botley PC, the Police and Eastleigh Borough Council about this. Enforcement action is underway and notice served. I’ve asked Hampshire Police to monitor”

Police are now set to patrol the area over the coming days with a Hampshire Police spokesperson adding: “We have been in touch with Eastleigh Borough Council and are liaising with them closely to monitor the situation, and will take action if or when required.

“We will always seek to investigate and respond when any criminal offences are reported to us. If criminal offences are identified, our officers will seek to bring the offenders to justice.”