Police inspector says 'misinformation' about Leeds traveller camp stoked 'unnecessary fear'

Travellers moved on from Glebelands Recreation Ground last week after setting up a camp earlier this month.

Residents and local councillors from the Garforth and Swillington Independents had raised concerns about access to valuable green space being lost and cited the lack of social distancing within the group and its implications for the coronavirus pandemic.

But posting on the East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team Facebook page, Inspector Mick Preston said many reports about the state of the camp were not true.

Insp Preston acknowledged that "public feelings can run high in regards to the locations of encampments", but noted he had received "a disproportionately high number of emails" regarding the camp.

He added: "A number of the contacts made refer to reports alleging the encampment being full of rubbish, faeces, etc and some of this misinformation has assisted in unnecessarily stoking up fear and sometimes anger within the local community, particularly with additional references to Coronavirus, social distancing, and a range of theories as to why that location was chosen (by the travellers).

Insp Preston said that, having visited the camp, it was not "as described and the encampment has been left in a serviceable state with no apparent damage."

He added: "It is worth pointing out that there are a range of legislative powers and options the Police and Local Authority can consider, which come with legal thresholds and have to be used proportionately.

"The outcome of the use of these powers to remove encampments will always result in displacement and the key question needs to be – to where?"

But Mark Dobson, leader of the Garforth and Swillington Independents Group, said many in the community had legitimate concerns about the camp and criticised Insp Preston from straying away from policing and into a policy matter.

He added: "My view was that the encampment was acting against the clear instructions of the Prime Minister and Government, where people have been told not to gather in groups or congregate in parks.

"This was being disregarded and that's why the community became agitated. That needs to be properly policed and enforced without exception.

"My concern was that people in my community could be put at risk."

Cllr Dobson also pointed out that people visiting the adjoining cemetery had been disturbed by the sound of quad bikes on Mothers Day.

He acknowledged that some comments on the Garforth and Swillington Independents Facebook page had been inappropriate, but that they had acted quickly to delete these.

"We put out a strong message for people to focus on the issues - social isolation and social distancing at this time of national emergency," he added.