Police say they are monitoring illegal traveller encampment in South Oxhey

Officers will be making 'dedicated patrols' to a former driving range in Prestwick Road, South Oxhey, which has been home to seven caravans since Sunday evening.

Authorities are aware of the situation but no one seems to know when the travellers are planning on leaving.

An eviction notice is due to be served towards the end of the week - and it is up to the leaseholder to take action to move them on.

Three Rivers District Council has no legal power to move the travellers on.

Sergeant Dan Amos, from the South Oxhey safer neighbourhood team, said: "We are aware of an unlawful traveller encampment on land off Prestwick Road and are working in partnership with the local authority to support the leaseholder in this matter.

"An eviction notice is due to be served towards the end of the week however, we are making dedicated patrols in order to monitor the situation.

"When the travellers are requested to leave we will oversee their move from the area and liaise with them to ensure they do not set up another unlawful encampment in Three Rivers."

Cllr Andrew Scarth has been down to the site twice and said yesterday he was "appalled" by the amount of flytipping which had appeared on a corner of the field.

Sergeant Amos added: "We have also received reports of fly tipping in the vicinity and will be carrying out an assessment of the area with partners from the council’s environmental protection team later today before creating an action plan for our response."

The travellers broke into the driving range on Sunday dragging a concrete block out of the way to gain access to the field.

Read more: Travellers break into former driving range