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The incursion has left locals unable to use the recreation ground as usual, causing considerable stress within the community

A group of travellers have descended on a local park in a Norfolk market town.

The group, who arrived at Westwood Gardens in Wymondham last Friday, destroyed wooden fencing to gain access to a field at the end of the residential street.

Residents responded swiftly, contacting both the police and their local district councillor, Jonathon Purle, in significant numbers.

After police arrived at Westwood Gardens, the group relocated to a neighbouring site, Browick Road Park, where they gained entry by removing a lock from a gate.

Cllr Purle said he had personally visited elderly residents living near the Westwood Gardens site in the aftermath of the incursion.

He is now demanding that South Norfolk Council install far more robust defences around the area, rather than simply replacing the low-level wooden fencing that was destroyed.

He said: "I will be pressing South Norfolk Council for more substantive protection of that patch, not just a rebuild on the current low-level wooden fence they took out with chain-saws."

The councillor also commended those who had raised the alarm quickly.

He added: "Well done to the residents there who, aside from calling me also called the Police in sufficient numbers, and thank you to the two young officers who attended."

The majority of the caravans are currently positioned near the Ayton Road end of Browick Road Park, with one vehicle parked on the basketball court.

Despite the encampment, Cllr Purle noted that the immediate area around Browick Road itself appeared calm.

However, he acknowledged the toll the situation is taking on local people.

He said: "I'm aware of the stress this is causing and the inconvenience of not being able to use the Rec normally."

The district councillor has pledged to maintain pressure on both South Norfolk Council and the town council to ensure the group is moved on from the site.

The Government has changed England’s planning rules, with Conservative critics warning that the reforms could make it easier for unauthorised traveller sites to secure retrospective planning permission.

Guidance relating to environmental damage caused by unauthorised traveller sites was also removed from the updated National Planning Policy Framework.

Official figures show the number of unauthorised traveller caravans in England has risen by 73 per cent since January 2020, from 2,860 to 4,950.