THE last remaining traveller incursion in the Farnham area was evicted last week, as bailiffs and the police descended on Wrecclesham recreation ground.

Waverley Borough Council was granted an order by Guildford Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday afternoon to remove the travellers from Wrecclesham rec, by force if necessary.

The council immediately hired bailiffs who, accompanied by a police escort, descended on the rec at around 5.30pm and, according to onlookers, oversaw a “fairly peaceful eviction”.

They were reportedly asked by the travellers to delay the eviction until “after the men get back from work” but the field was clear of caravans by around 8pm.

Waverley contractors Glendale and local volunteers then began a clean-up operation on Wednesday morning, after the travellers filled up to 50 bins provided by the council as well as fly-tipping mattresses, chairs, clothes and other household waste at the site.

It was also discovered on Wednesday that the Wrecclesham Tennis Club house had been broken into, with the damage including a broken main door, a smashed window and - bizarrely - a toilet filled with tennis balls.

Thankfully the tennis club was informed of the traveller’s arrival last Friday and managed to move all equipment, including rackets and nets for the junior players, to a safe place.

But the club’s drains and surrounding lanes were reportedly “filled with excrement”, after the travellers knocked over Portaloos provided for them by the council.

One tennis club member, who asked not to be named, told the Herald: “They had made a hole in the fence, we fixed it, then they broke it again and after filled the drains with excrement.

“It is all mendable and covered by our insurance, so we’re trying to be positive.”

Waverley laid huge logs across the entrances to Wrecclesham rec prior to the travellers arrival last Friday, but this failed to deter the incursion.

“It doesn’t matter what we do or how many locks we put in, if they want to get back in they’ll get back in,” added the club member. “We’re lucky it was minor criminal damage.”

Wrecclesham Cricket Club is also seeking an alternative ground for the entirety of August after quad bikes were driven over the cricket square, turning up the grass.

The Wrecclesham incident is one of a number of traveller incursions reported across Surrey in the past fortnight.

Waverley alone has evicted travellers from a total of six council-owned sites in Farnham over the last two weeks; Heath End recreation ground, Farnham Park, Dogflud Way car park, Weybourne recreation ground, Brightwell Gardens and finally Wrecclesham rec.

Following the incursions, the council announced on Wednesday morning “there are currently no unauthorised travellers in the borough”.

Waverley is as yet unable to put a figure on how much it has cost the taxpayer to remove the incursions, but believes the costs are “significant”.

A final sum will be posted online at www.waverley.gov.uk “in due course”, but by way of comparison a single incursion at the Dogflud Way car park in April cost the council more than £3,400, including legal fees and the hiring of wheelie bins, Portaloos and professional bailiffs.

A Waverley spokesperson said: “The council has acted promptly in responding to each incursion. Undertaking the necessary checks and taking the process through the courts within two to three days of first being notified of the unauthorised encampment.

“A significant effort to secure vulnerable sites in Farnham has also taken place. We would like to thank local residents who have assisted the council to protect vulnerable sites in Farnham and particularly the residents who have given their help and support with the clean up of the Wrecclesham Recreation Ground.

“The council dealt with the eviction of the unauthorised travellers promptly. However, as this is a county-wide issue, we will be reviewing our procedures in partnership with the police, the county council and other districts and boroughs to minimise the impact on communities and council resources”.

After orders were granted by magistrates to remove the six incursions in Farnham, it is now an offence for any of the removed travellers to return to these sites within three months.

If any residents are aware of any of the travellers returning to these sites they should call the council on 01483 523333 and Surrey Police on 999 or 101 in a non-emergency immediately.