Having read the article about the travellers who camped illegally on Farsley Falcons' rugby pitch (YEP, August 2) i was left feeling very angry, and frustrated.
Angry at the total lack of respect, and disregard shown all too frequently by groups of travellers who show utter contempt for the law. Frustration was felt because of the legalities and bureaucracy which have to be overcome before any steps can be t
aken to evict these lawbreakers.
Reading the article further, it said that access was gained after a steel gate was forced open using a blow torch. If this is not breaking and entering to gain illegal access, what is?
It's the same with squatters. They seem to have more rights than law-abiding citizens. In my opinion the law needs changing regarding trespass, and illegal entry, we need a fast-track approach to these situations. As soon as the police get notified about an illegal camp, they should be there immediately to serve an eviction order, with immediate effect, never mind long and expensive legislation, if necessary removal by force, with caravans towed away.
In the meantime the devastation caused has left the farsley falcons inconvenienced, and having to find a new venue to play their home games. It has also left the council to pick up the clean-up bill.
What needs to be done is this: these travellers should be tracked down and made to pay for this expense and caravans and expensive off-road vehicles should be impounded by the police until the bill for the expensive clean up operation has been paid for by these lawbreakers.
The travellers need to make a decision, to either live on the caravan sites which have been provided for them, or if they decide to travel about, they should respect people's rights and abide by the law.
Mr G Coleman, Batley
The full article contains 317 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
