A GROUP of travellers have set up an unlawful camp on a sports ground in Yate after reportedly breaking a lock to access the site.

Around 13 vehicles moved onto football pitches at Yate Common on Tuesday evening. 

The site in question is owned by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) and is usually locked at night when it is not being used by children and sports groups.

As such, the travellers are believed to have "broken in" to access the grounds, according to Cllr Chris Willmore (Yate North).

She said: "One of our town councillors went straight to the site once he heard that travellers had set up camp.

"We believe that they got in by snapping a lock." 

She added that Yate Town Council are urging SGC to "take action" to remove the travellers.

"It's unusual for travellers to park up on land that is in use by the public - they usually choose sites that are not operational," she said.

"However the site that this group have pitched up on is operational, and is frequently used by kids to play sport, so I'm urging the council to take action."

According to the councillor, the travellers in question had previously been living on Sodbury Common, and it is unclear why they chose to move.

She said: “Sodbury Common is mainly grazing land, which means there is a commoner’s right of way there.

“The problem with the Yate Common site is that the land is recreational and in use.”

Ruth Davis, of Friends of Yate Common, has joined the call to remove the travellers.

She said: “We hope to minimise mess and to try to get them to move on as soon as possible.

“This is an operational space, so if the travellers stay for any length of time then it is going to have an impact on people who use the site legitimately.”

Yate resident Anita Scott, commenting on the Gazette Facebook page, expressed her disapproval at the news, writing “here we go again.”

She added: “If we did it we would get arrested and charged with trespassing and criminal damage.

“They just get away with it and they do not pay council tax.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman has since confirmed that their traveller unit have visited Yate Common.

He said: "Our traveller unit has assessed the encampment and we have organised the necessary welfare checks.

"We are working closely with the police to negotiate with the families to leave the site, in line with our established procedures.”