Morley residents have shared their fury as they claim criminal damage and fly tipping has left a popular local park a "mess".
Empty glass bottles, children's scooters and toys, shoes, mountain bikes, McDonald's wrappers, wet wipes, a paddling pool, and bin bags of rubbish were found in Hembrigg Park throughout March. What's more, damage to the children's play area was reported.
Now residents want West Yorkshire Police to evict the perpetrators permanently when they are spotted in the area.
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"We need a section 61 imposed" residents plead. This gives police the power to direct an encampment to leave once the landowner has made reasonable steps to remove the occupants, and if certain conditions are met.
Another added: "If West Yorkshire Police had served a section 61 on the day the individuals arrived the mess and damage may not have been as bad. These people seem to be above the law and they know it, as this has been proved."
One individual said: "I saw the poor blokes having to clean it all away. There was about eight of them - what a mess." A second said: "What a disgrace. This is exactly what happens every single time - why are they not made to clean up after themselves"
Another added: "This is vile! They wonder why people don't want them setting up camp nearby. Why don't they just clean up afterwards, no need for it."
Another resident said: "I knew it. All those people who were defending them, here is your proof. How disrespectful." Another added that it looks "scruffy".
On Friday (March 1) Leeds City Councillor Jane Senior confirmed that the group causing the damage and mess were removed on March 31. Leeds City Councillor Jane Senior said: "The individuals left Hembrigg Park yesterday [Thursday March 31] following confirmation of court action to evict them. The site has been left a real mess and the grassed area and football pitch ripped up.
"A team will attend today to clean up and repair the grassed areas and football pitch. A court order will be obtained to prevent preoccupation over the next six months and councillors are meeting Parks staff next week to make sure the site is secured from any further encampments.
"Councillors are also to meet senior West Yorkshire Police staff to lodge a claim of criminal damage and fly tipping against the travellers to cover the clean up and repair costs. Councillors will also explore the reasons behind the police decision not to use their powers under Section 61 to evict the travellers during their time on the park."
Superintendent Russ Hughes, from West Yorkshire Police explained how the force have dealt with this incident after residents report it happening "time and time again". He said: "While we will always listen to the concerns of residents and councillors, the use of police powers to forcibly remove an illegal encampment is only appropriate in certain circumstances, and where we are able to justify our actions as legal and proportionate.
"The use of such powers should only be considered after all other options have been explored and exhausted. We need to strike a balance between the rights of the landowners, the community and the travellers themselves.
"We thoroughly assessed this situation on that basis and did not consider the use of those powers to be lawful or appropriate at the time. We liaised with our partners in the local authority who as landowner pursued the normal eviction process.”
