Roundhay Park in Leeds has experienced seven illegal traveller encampments this year alone, leading to disruptions for local sports clubs and residents. The recurring issue has prompted the Leeds City Council to plan further preventative measures.
Local cricket and bowling clubs have been directly impacted by the encampments. Steve Wales, chairman of North Leeds Cricket Club, reported that three matches have been delayed or cancelled this season due to the presence of travellers. "The children jump over the fence around the cricket ground... we can't make it too high because of the aesthetics, so it doesn't stop them," Wales stated. He also expressed concerns about the safety of spectators when encampments are near, as traveller children are known to run across the field and disrupt play. The club has faced financial losses due to cancelled matches, increased insurance premiums following past damage, and a loss of credibility within their league.
Residents have documented vandalism, anti-social behavior, and significant amounts of waste left behind after encampments. Mark Black, a homeowner bordering the park, described escalating issues over recent years, noting that when one group is moved on, another often arrives within hours. He also reported aggressive behavior from some travellers and their children, including attempts to set fires and confrontational interactions with residents and authorities. "The mess they leave behind is horrific and they leave human excrement in the bushes," Black said.
Leeds City Council is planning to install additional barriers, bollards, sandstone boulders, and earth mounds to prevent vehicles from accessing sporting pitches, known as Soldiers' Field and Connaught Field. County Court orders have been posted, mandating travellers to leave the fields by July 17, though much of the accumulated litter has already been cleared by council workers.
Leeds GATE, a charity supporting Gypsy and traveller communities, has previously highlighted a need for more legal sites, stating that housing crises affect these communities more acutely. However, local residents like Will Jennings, who tends an allotment in the park, argue that the issue lies with the behaviour of the travellers, citing damage, theft of water, and racist incidents directed at other allotment holders.
Locals have established a WhatsApp group to alert each other to the arrival of caravans, with many choosing to avoid the park during encampments due to reported verbal abuse. The council has stated it plans to implement more than a hundred additional boulders to deter future encampments.