TRAVELLERS encamped illegally have been moved on less than 24 hours after they parked up their seven caravans and other vehicles.

The travellers said they were originally from Peterborough and had chosen The Green, Croxley Green, to set up camp after being escorted from Kent by police.

They were soon on the move again, however, after prompt action from the police and council to invoke a by-law forced them to load up their vans and look for another place to stay.

The by-law, which prohibits activities such as camping, starting fires and parking vehicles on a certain piece of land, is enforceable immediately and means the often-lengthy process of obtaining an eviction order from court can be avoided.

The group had only arrived from Ashford, in Kent, on Sunday afternoon, and left before the Monday deadline of 1.30pm before being forcibly removed by police.

While other members of the family hitched up the caravans and loaded two tree surgeon work vans, Mr Fred Holmes complained about the travellers' plight.

He said: "We only moved here last night and we haven't done any damage at all. They are moving us and we haven't got anywhere to go.

"There is good and bad in everybody but they tar you with the same brush.

"It's getting harder and harder because they do not want to put you anywhere. I have done this all my life and you go on land and promise not to tip it and look after it but it does you no good.

"We were escorted right out of Kent to the entrance of the M25 and have a court order not to come back in three months. It is like you are a criminal."

The landlord of nearby public house The Coach and Horses, Mr Paul Thurgood confirmed there had been no trouble from the group.

He said: "There has been no problems at all. I have not got a problem with them as long as they leave it how they found it."

A district council spokesman also said the area had been kept clean apart from a small fire which was left alight.

Inspector Shakil Qasim had one officer backing him up to observe the move while others on stand-by at Rickmansworth Station, were not needed.

Inspector Qasim said: "It went really well. We worked with other agencies and dealt with the issue promptly. I was very pleased this situation was resolved peacefully without any need to use force."

July 10, 2002 17:00