Police warn landowners over travellersPOLICE have warned landowners to ensure their property is secure after travellers pitched camp on a series of sites.

In a game of cat and mouse, police have moved off travellers from sites, only to see them move on to other areas around Princes Risborough.

Insp Andy Kitchen, sector officer for Wycombe rural area, said travellers had moved to a number of places in the area, ignoring instructions not to go on to private ground.

The travellers had moved on to what used to be Whiteleaf Furniture site, in Peters Lane, on May 23. Police went along to assess the situation on May 31 because the travellers were on private land. Officers then moved them on.

But Insp Kitchen said the travellers only moved as far as Monks Risborough Football Club, Askett.

He said: "They caused some damage getting on to the field and they ignored police officers' instructions not to go on there.

"We went along and served a form under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) and they were instructed to leave immediately."

The travellers moved off but once again, they did not go far, moving to Longwick, on a field opposite Summerleys Road.

Police served yet another notice and the travellers left on June 1 at 7am and went to Thame.

Insp Kitchen said travellers caused damage on places where they stayed.

He said: "These people were cutting trees and doing gardening and the debris from their trade has been left on site."

Insp Kitchen said the police were doing everything they could but landowners should make sure travellers could not get on to their sites.

He said: "Landowners should be aware that if they leave sites open they leave themselves to this."

The travellers were last seen in Kingsey between Thame and Princes Risborough.