Householders share concerns as Travellers leave Oxford park

A large encampment of caravans arrived at South Park at around 8pm on Tuesday (August 13) evening and were issued with an evacuation notice by Oxford City Council to leave by 10am on Thursday.

Multiple police cars and a police van arrived at the scene just off St Clement's Street on Wednesday afternoon to keep watch on the group in the park.

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At around 4pm on Wednesday afternoon Travellers were spotted leaving the premises. 

One householder, who lives close to the park and asked to remain anonymous, told the Oxford Mail: "We’re quite concerned because they seem quite aggressive.

"My kids are not feeling too comfortable."

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She added that her five children were "scared to go outside" and her 18 and 19-year-olds were "scared to be in the house" alone since the Travellers arrived. 

Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: "We’re not happy.

"It’s a case of, do we lock everything away?

"It’s the human waste, the rubbish, the dogs - where are we going to walk our dogs?

"It’s a bit scary."

Avalon Decosme, who also lives nearby, said: "I’d prefer that there were not Travellers in the park."

However, she added: "So far it looks like they’re being very quiet and well-behaved."

She noted that it is "interesting" they managed to get into the park in the first place.

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Travellers at South Park on Wednesday afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

Another resident, Jane, who did not disclose her surname, said she believes the "police have handled it well" and have been "quite diplomatic".

She added: "As long as they're not causing a fuss and it's only for a short time.

"At the same time they are a bit naughty, thinking they can land there and nobody is going to say anything." 

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council and ward member for Churchill ward has denounced the incident as “unacceptable”.

"The behaviour we've seen at South Park is completely unacceptable,” she said.

“The park is a much-loved, publicly owned green space for our local community.

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“This selfish and antisocial behaviour means that other people are not able to use large parts of their local park.

“I would like to thank city council officers and Thames Valley Police for their swift action."

Police van at park entrance (Image: Newsquest)