Medieval-style trenches dug around parks in desperate bid to stop ‘whack-a-mole’ travellers invading city

21 comments 21 Next A COUNCIL has dug medieval-style trenches around some of its parks in an attempt to prevent “whack-a-mole” travellers from illegally occupying them. Defensive ditches – reminiscent of moats around the Midlands’ historic castles – have been dug around at least three Birmingham parks in the last few months. 4 Birmingham City Council have been digging trenches along parks and green spaces to stop travellers getting onto the land Credit: Refer to source 4 Trenches have also appeared at Manningford Road, in Druids Heath, Birmingham Credit: BPM Advertisement It followed a summer of “whack-a-mole”-style problems where officials would invoke legal routes to clear caravans from public land, only for them to quickly pop up somewhere else. Daisy Farm Park, off Maypole Lane, Highter’s Heath, had trenches dug out around its perimeter in recent weeks. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The same tactic has been employed at Manningford Road in Druids Heath. Brandwood Police said a “trench was currently being dug out in Manningford Park to prevent any unlawful encampment”. Read More on UK News austen powers Exact date Storm Austen will hit UK as Met Office warns of 70mph winds BLADE HORROR Teens, 14, arrested after schoolboy stabbed at busy UK shopping centre 4 Birmingham has had to deal with scores of incidents where travellers have set up camp across the city throughout the summer Credit: BPM 4 Travellers have tipped up on parkland near to Daisy Farm Road and Maypole Lane in the past Credit: BPM Media And trenches were also deployed at the entrance of Chinn Brook Recreation Ground, in Yardley Wood in August. Birmingham has encountered scores of incidents where travellers have arrived in caravans, motorhomes and vehicles to set up camp across the city throughout the summer. Advertisement The city council said it was “committed to safeguarding public open spaces for the benefit of all users”. It said it would continue to “review and monitor measures at individual locations”. Most read in The Sun THE SUN SAYS Govt must stop madhouse economics… or our kids will have to pick up bill ROSS CLARK Shock France riots reveal why Britain rejoining the EU would be a terrible idea AIR HEADS Doomed RAF jet which crashed in fireball near homes was flying without fuel cap PALL & CHAIN Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson pictured carrying loved one's coffin while shackled A council spokeswoman told said: “The council adopts a range of proportionate site-management measures to deter unauthorised vehicle access and unauthorised encampments on parks and open spaces where there is an evidenced history of recurring incidents. “Increased encampment pressures, together with repeated damage to existing boundary infrastructure and access controls, have required the council to consider a wider range of preventative measures. “The use of ditches, bunds and other landscape interventions forms part of a broader toolkit of options and is implemented only where considered necessary, appropriate and site-specific. Advertisement “The council remains committed to safeguarding public open spaces for the benefit of all users and will continue to review and monitor measures at individual locations.” One commentator on Facebook said: “What if they shovel the soil on just the part they need to get entry? “It will take them 5 minutes, job done. They dont have to refill the whole trench.” While another added: “Why don’t councils just put a blanket ban on illegal traveller camps instead of one at a time.. would save loads of money.” A third person wrote: “They will soon fill it in, to gain entry to the parks.” Advertisement It’s not the first time travellers have settled on Daisy Farm Park . In March 2017, at least 10 caravans and other vehicles were spotted setting up camp. Trenches have also been dug in the past around the country in an attempt to prevent travellers getting onto the land. In September 2019, the parish council dug deep ditches around the sports fields and children’s playground in Swaffham Bulbeck, near Cambridge. RECOMMENDED STORIES While villagers in West Bergholt, Essex , took similar measures when a group of travellers tipped up on a farmer’s field. Advertisement Locals near Oakwood Park in Derby did the same after it became a magnet for travellers who would return again and again. 21 comments 21