TRAVELLERS gained access to Wrecclesham recreation ground on Friday evening - taking the number of illegal incursion in the Farnham area to six in just over a week.

Nearby residents reported seeing around 30 traveller caravans and vehicles gain access to the recreation ground at 8.30pm on July 21.

It comes just days after Waverley Borough Council announced it was increasing security at the site, as well as many others across the town, including laying tree trunks across its entrances.

A Wrecclesham resident told the Herald: "An attempt by the council to prevent the travellers from moving from existing sites once evicted has obviously failed as an entrance was forced and the ground is now occupied."

Waverley was granted an order by Guildford Magistrates on Friday afternoon to require the removal of vehicles and other property at Dogflud Car Park and Weybourne Recreation Ground.

Council officers are on site and have served the order, the travellers will now be evicted.

Earlier this week, Waverley also served summons on two separate traveller incursions in Farnham Park and Heath End Recreation Ground. The incursions at these sites have now left and the council has positioned large, heavy logs at both sites to temporarily block the entrances.

However, on Friday morning a separate traveller incursion was reported at Brightwells Gardens and - together with the Wrecclesham incursion - still occupies the site.

Referring to the Brightwell Gardens incursion, Waverley leader Julia Potts said: “The council will be issuing notices instructing the travellers to leave the land, however we have a number of legal requirements we need to follow before we can move the travellers on. Officers are currently on the site and toilets and bins have been provided.

“The council has taken measures to protect a number of other sites in Farnham and will be putting security in at Riverside car park and St James car park.

“Over the last week I have received calls from very concerned residents about the number of incursions in Farnham and the impact on the community. I would encourage the public to report any instances of criminal damage to the Police by calling 101. Residents should use 999 if they should witness any crime in progress."

As well as Wrecclesham Recreation Ground, attempts to temporarily block the entrances at Runfold Recreation Ground, Hale Recreation Ground, Badshot Lea Green and Recreation Ground, Morley Road Recreation Ground, Langhams Recreation Ground, Bourne Recreation Ground, Weydon Lane tip, and Rowledge Recreation Ground have also been implemented.

A number of other sites are being checked as to whether the council can install further protection measures.