Police have confirmed they supported a council in removing a traveller camp after a court order was needed.
Herts Police became aware of the camp in Sir James Altham Car Park, Altham Way, South Oxhey, on July 7.
When it had not moved a week later, despite a notice requiring the group to leave being posted, the landowner Three Rivers District Council took the issue to court.
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The council had tasked an external agency with serving a notice requiring them to vacate early last week. But due to a “clerical error”, a new notice had to be given on the Thursday morning (July 13) with a 7.30pm deadline that day.
The next day, a council spokesperson confirmed “that deadline has now passed” as the group flouted the new order.
“The council has therefore referred the matter to St Albans Magistrates' Court and applied for a removal order - an order requiring the travellers to leave the car park under section 68 Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1995,” they added.
The application was considered at 2pm on July 14.
Herts Police then confirmed the application was successful and that, since previous direction had not been followed, “enforcement action is anticipated to be taking place soon with support from Hertfordshire Constabulary”.
The district council confirmed today (July 18) that the camp had departed and it is understood that this took place on Saturday evening (July 15).
According to court documents, the removal order said: “Any vehicle or other property present on Sir James Altham Car Park (The Land) to be removed, together with any person residing in it.
“And in relation to any vehicle or property found there take such steps as are reasonably necessary to ensure that the order is complied with."
Particularly, the order continued, "to enter upon the land" and "to take such steps as are necessary to secure entry to the said vehicles and property and render them suitable for removal from the land".
The car park is next to Oxhey Jets Football Club and the Sir James Altham 3G Pitch.
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