Wellesbourne Unauthorised Encampment update 04/09/2023
We have been patrolling the local area and working throughout the weekend to collate information, intelligence, and incidents reported in relation to the area of The Grange and Ettington Park estates in Wellesbourne following the arrival of an Unauthorised Encampment (UE) in the area on 1st September. The site was visited by our team and Wellesbourne and Walton Parish Council on Saturday 2nd September to formally request that they vacate the land by 11:00 today.
They failed to comply with this request, and as such the decision was made to invoke Police powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which enables senior officers to direct the UE to leave the land within a reasonable timeframe as a result of the number of vehicles present on the land, the distress/disruption caused; and/or the behaviours displayed by members of the group during their time in the village.
At approximately 14:00 today, Sgt Price and PCSO Allen from our team have entered the site and served the UE with notices under the above legislation that requires them to leave the land as soon as reasonably practicable but by no later than 09:00 on Wednesday 6th September 2023. Failure to do so will result in police enforcing this direction and evicting the group in order to reclaim the land. Following the departure of the UE, discussions will be had between partner agencies about how best to prevent similar occurrences in this area going forward.
Police will continue to keep up patrols in the area. As always, feel free to stop us to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. We would encourage any residents to report any issues they experience to police via our website at https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/ro/report or by phoning 101. In an emergency always call 999.