City council pledges to act over travellers on Exeter Business Centre
BUSINESS owners in Exeter claim trade is being affected by travellers who set up camp outside their premises.
Staff say they have been showered with abuse by the group since it arrived in the car park of the Exeter Business Centre on Sunday.
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Police have confirmed they have attended the site several times over the last few days for various incidents.
Exeter City Council has confirmed that it will be taking enforcement action on behalf of Exeter Business Centre Limited to remove the caravans and their occupants from the site over the next few days.
The centre is a large commercial building subdivided internally to provide 58 units at 39 Marsh Green Road, Marsh Barton.
One employee, who asked not to be named, said: "Caravans are parked right outside unit doors, making it in accessible for those that work there.
"The police came for five minutes and told everyone not to confront the travellers. The children and dogs are running around with nothing to do.
"Unit holders are worried for their properties and feel powerless. How is it that police have no powers and unit holders have to just sit back and watch?"
Another business owner said: "They have been there since the weekend and are disrupting businesses in the centre, causing damage to vehicles, and the new wind turbine project was damaged before quickly being rescued by a crane.
"There is lots of the rubbish and human excrement left around the site."
Police said they have called to several incidents since the travellers arrived.
This included complaints that up to five youths were throwing stones at vehicles. One was taken into custody. Police also investigated reports that a motorbike was severely damaged, although no offender was identified.
One 17-year-old was arrested by police for a section four offence of provocation of violence and was reprimanded by officers after shouting obscenities and threatening to hit someone on several occasions.
A police spokesman said: "We will respond to reported crime and public order offences but have no power to remove them — that responsibility lies with the landowner.
"But the local beat manager is aware of the issue and is in liaison with the business community."
A spokesman for Exeter City Council said: "A group of travellers moved on to the Exeter Business Centre car park on Sunday.
"This is clearly causing great inconvenience and concern to the centre's tenants and other local businesses.
"Therefore the city council, acting on behalf of Exeter Business Centre Limited, will issue proceedings in order to secure the removal of the travellers from the land."
21 Comments
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by EDWARD CUTTY-DYER, ASHBURTON
Friday, July 16 2010, 10:58AM
“Mike
that woudnt have been Travellers, more likely People from BRIDGWATER”
by Keith, Redhills
Friday, July 16 2010, 9:52AM
“Lyn,
I fail to understand why you do not believe the reports in this newspaper and of individuals who are directly affected by this group of travellers. Are you suggesting that businesses are causing the damage themselves to try and get the travellers moved on? Be realistic. Perhaps you should ask your granddaughter to take you down there so you can see the evidence for yourself. I appreciate from previous postings that your personal recollection of these people is somewhat different to that of most people but please do not try and defend them against the overwhelming evidence that they are causing damage and are adversely affecting small businesses that can ill afford to lose money.”
by lyn bowe, exeter
Friday, July 16 2010, 8:53AM
“<<<
you are blaming the wrong uns>
other people are doin things then <
by Michael, Exeter
Thursday, July 15 2010, 10:42PM
“Maybe someone should do a leaflet drop with simple instructions on how to use a toilet. Then once they start to get to grips with that, perhaps move on to advanced toilet roll and flushing methodologies.”
by Max, Exeter
Thursday, July 15 2010, 9:43PM
“Not hurting anyone?
They've smashed the place up!!!
Dumped everywhere. Pee'd all over everywhere.
Smashed the CCTV, doors, equipment on site, cars, bikes, tipped the grit bin out, pulled the guards off the gas fire flues, slashed 50 bags of stones, smashed up out wheeled trolleys, grafitti all over the windows, names scratched into the signs, other signs pulled down, wooden panels destroyed, is that enough for you? and yes I do work there, and it's a nightmare.”
by Michael, Exeter
Thursday, July 15 2010, 6:59PM
“'they are good people.'
Good at what exactly ? Taking a dump on someones doorstep it seems.”
by simon, exeter
Thursday, July 15 2010, 5:56PM
“What are you hiding for Mr Bradshaw? Sort it out and don't let the taxpayer foot the bill again! The large gas canister looks exceedingly dangerous and should be removed from a business centre car park immediately! Other countries would imprison the ringleaders on the public order offences until the vehicles start to move. Tiana, they are scum, I'm pitching up in your garden tonight, It'll be the one with naked children in the garden along with dogs and excrement, oh yes and a bit of "lucky heather" growing.”
by simon, exeter
Thursday, July 15 2010, 5:52PM
“Is there not a wheel clamping firm contracted to the site? Clamp, fine not paid, remove vehicles, fine paid or vehicles crushed? I'll pay any up front cost required! Or maybe one of our friendly clamping firms would just do it to give something back to the people of Exeter?”
by Keith, Redhills
Thursday, July 15 2010, 5:37PM
“Interesting that Tiana calls for respect for her Nanna when yesterday she referred to me as a 'Prejudgemental Ignorant Prat' merely because my posting was in support of the businesses who were suffering due to these unwanted guests. Obviously respect only works one way in some households.”
by The Local Vocal, Exeter
Thursday, July 15 2010, 5:00PM
“It won't be long before the general public take this matter into their own hands. These so called 'travellers' are very well off! Why? Because they don't pay the bills and taxes like the rest of us have to! If they were 'decent' travellers then they would park their caravans where they should be. Freeloaders!”