An unauthorised encampment has again been moved on from a Tipton park in a matter of hours, thanks to powers held by Sandwell Council and the police.

The council’s environmental protection team were alerted to around eight caravans on Jubilee Park at around 4pm yesterday (Tuesday) and a further 12 to 15 caravans trying to get onto open space at nearby Newhall Street.

Police and council officers attended the scene and the larger group were given the option to move to the council’s transit site in Smethwick, where they would need to pay £250 deposit per caravan and £80 a week rent. They declined the offer and they were followed out of Sandwell.

The smaller group were told to leave the park by 6pm. Preparations were made for the police to serve a Section 62 notice on them just after 6pm, but the group left the park and drove out of Sandwell.

The council’s environmental protection and highways teams then secured the park with concrete blocks to stop further unauthorised encampments. Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and investment Councillor Paul Moore said:

“I’d like to thank council staff and police for once again acting quickly to protect our parks and open spaces.”