Travellers given 24 hours to leave (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Tooting Common Travellers given 24 hours to leave

12:00pm Tuesday 21st August 2012 in News By Jamie Henderson

Travellers who set up camp on Tooting Common have been given 24 hours to move on - or run the risk of being prosecuted.

Police and council officers have been monitoring the site since it was set up on Monday and yesterday served them with a formal notice telling them they must vacate the common or face prosecution and risk having their vehicles towed away.

Camping overnight on any part of Tooting Common, without prior authorisation from the council, is a criminal offence under parks and open spaces byelaws.

The byelaws mean any person, and their belongings, including vehicles, can be physically removed if they do not comply.

Occupations of other land should be reported immediately to the police.

The council provides an approved travellers site in Trewint Street, Earlsfield.