RESIDENTS on a Hampshire housing estate have been warned not to take the law into their own hands after travellers moved into their neighbourhood.

As reported by the Daily Echo, caravans started pouring on to land at Blackberry Drive, Fair Oak, which had previously been occupied by just six travellers' caravans.

A tense stand-off developed with groups of homeowners plus gatherings of teenagers around the estate watching the caravan dwellers.

Police sent officers to the scene and by midnight the number of caravans had been reduced to 15. Officers - who monitored the situation throughout the night - were said to be "discouraging" any more travellers from going on to the Blackberry Drive land.

Chairman of the borough's Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton Heath Local Area Committee Councillor Phil Spearey said: "Having seen the condition of Stoneham Lane following the travellers' visit which has just ended, I am not surprised that the frustrations of the local residents have resulted in this action.

But he added: "I would urge local residents not to take the law into their own hands. This will not help."

Local councillor Angela Roling has praised police saying: "I thank the police for their efforts in maintaining the peace and am glad that no one has been hurt or arrested."

Insp Martin Jeffery said: "We are making special arrangements to have officers available to deal with any problems there.

"What we will be dealing with is criminality rather than just the presence of the travellers. If there is criminality by the travellers or the residents we will deal with it."

Allen Smith, managing director of Persimmon Homes (South Coast) told the Daily Echo: "Persimmon sympathise with the residents at Fair Oak and can offer our assurance that we are doing everything in our power to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."

He said the company's solicitors expected to secure a High Court hearing this morning and an eviction order by the end of next week.

Seven caravans thought to have left the Blackberry Drive site were reported to be camped in a field at Knowle Lane, Fair Oak.