Here are all the times travellers visited Southampton this summer

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council confirmed that over the last two months they have dealt with eight unauthorised encampments. 

Some of these camps were set up on leased land, while the rest were on council land. 

In the month of July alone, five unauthorised encampments were seen. Meanwhile, there were two encampments in August and one in September. 

If the campsite is on council property, Southampton City Council is responsible for dealing with it.

However, if the land is leased, the organisation that owns the lease must handle it.

If the site is privately owned, the encampment should be handled by the landowner.

Travellers have invaded Millbrook Recreation Ground. (Image: NQ staff)

Here is a list of all the times trespassers invaded Southampton grounds: 

July

1. Chamberlayne field at the rear of Chamberlayne Leisure Centre – 28/06/2022 – 05/07/2022.
2. Chamberlayne car park at the side of Chamberlayne Leisure Centre – 12/07/2022 – 18/07/2022. 
3. Lordshill Way close to Sinclair School – 15/07/2022 – 15/07/2022.
4. Sports Centre on the cricket pitches – 15/07/2022 – 17/07/2022.
5. Goals, Third Avenue Millbrook – 29/07/2022 – 08/08/2022.

Caravans at Southampton Sports Centre (Image: NQ staff)

August

1. Millbrook Recreation Ground [5 Acres] – 07/08/2022 – 15/08/2022.
2. Lordshill Library car park – 16/08/2022 – 17/08/2022.
3. Chamberlayne car park at the side of Chamberlayne Leisure Centre – 22/08/2022 – 24/08/2022.

Caravans at Southampton Sports Centre (Image: Caravans at Southampton Sports Centre)

To remove trespassers, the city's council works closely with the neighbourhood police teams when unauthorised encampments are identified in the city. 

In the month of June, tougher regulations were imposed to prevent travellers from establishing an unauthorised campground.

Trespassers who set up camp illegally on other people’s land or in local communities could face up to three months in prison as a new criminal offence becomes law.

In addition, police will now be able to ban trespassers from returning to a patch of land for a year, rather than just three months.

If found guilty, they can be fined up to £2,500 and/or have their vehicles seized. 

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