Call for prosecution of criminal Gypsies/Travellers

Call for prosecution of criminal Gypsies/Travellers 

A West Birkdale councillor is calling for the prosecution of ‘travellers’ who have occupied three sites in Birkdale, two of which have been only entered after cutting through padlocks and chains with bolt cutter.

Local Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Tony Dawson says:

“Birkdale residents have been disappointed by the apparent lack of response by the Council and the police as ‘travellers’ descended on first Birkdale Common (Waterloo Road) then the former Birkdale Blind School on the Oxford Road and now the former Deaf School on Lancaster Road.”

Concerning the Oxford Road occupation, Councillor Dawson says:

“Worried residents have been abused in the street, there have been dogs barking and generators running noisily all night. One resident has even delayed his holiday departure. I am pleased that the landowner has now dropped large concrete blocks to obstruct the gateway. Hopefully, this will mean no further improper access to the site by vehicles.”

“I was concerned to discover that the Police had not even interviewed local residents to gain witness statements even though the Blind School site had been broken into in broad daylight using bolt cutters. Similar force was used at the Deaf school where I am concerned for the safety of the building and for local residents.

“We have only just had the premises secured to prevent drug taking there. Now it is all being opened up again.”

“I understand that a couple of Granville Road residents valiantly tried to prevent the occupation by blocking the entrance to the site with their car for a while. This sort of action, commendable though it was, can not be what Southport as a community has to rely upon. I think both the council and the police need to review all their legal powers.”

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