Rubbish has been cleared from Garston Park after around 30 caravans pitched up and flouted council orders to leave for days.

They broke onto the green space last Thursday (July 25) by cutting a high-level security lock attached to a bollard with an angle grinder, Watford Borough Council said.

It has now been replaced and WBC said it will consider other options to secure the park.

The unauthorised encampments in Garston Park on Friday morning.The unauthorised encampments in Garston Park on Friday morning. (Image: Contribution) Photos showed a large number of caravans on the main area of grass in the middle of the park, with cars parked up next to them.

The locked bollard to the park, which a council spokesperson said had been “very successful” in the past, was also pictured discarded on the grass.

The group used an angle grinder to cut a high-security lock to a bollard at the park gate.The group used an angle grinder to cut a high-security lock to a bollard at the park gate. (Image: Contribution) A legal ‘notice to vacate land’ was served on Friday, which required the occupants to leave by 8am on Monday.

Garston Park on Friday morning.Garston Park on Friday morning. (Image: Contribution) But bailiffs were called in to serve an eviction notice and remove the encampment after they flouted the deadline.

Around half of the caravans had left by 2pm on Tuesday with the remaining seven vehicles vacating the park later that afternoon.

Garston Park on Friday morning. Garston Park on Friday morning. (Image: Contribution) Deputy mayor councillor Aga Dychton thanked Veolia for its “swift action” after it carried out a clean up of the park on Wednesday, which found rubbish in the area.

“We want to express our gratitude to the residents for their cooperation and patience throughout this matter”, added Cllr Dychton.

“The council does not tolerate unauthorised encampments in our town. Garston Park is an award-winning green space, and we are dedicated to ensuring it remains an area for all to enjoy.”

Bowerbirdy, the organisers of the summer WatsOn events for children, decided with the borough council to relocate the Sports Club this Friday (August 2) from the park to the Woodside Playing Fields.

A WBC spokesperson explained that this was in case the unauthorised encampment remained in place, which would have also left little time for a clean-up.