Travellers have set up camp on a site in Watford overnight.

Police were called around 8pm last night after around 20 caravans gained access to land in Oxhey Park (pictured in the map below).

Speaking on behalf of Hertfordshire Constabulary, Victoria West said: "Police were contacted just before 8.10pm yesterday evening to a report that several vehicles were arriving on land in Oxhey Park, Wiggenhall Road.

"Officers attended and continue to monitor the situation whilst working with the land owners to assist in resolving any issues and community concerns."

The camp backs onto Eastbury Road.

One worried resident said vans and cars had carried out wheelspins throughout the night.

With rumours of around 20 caravans now on the site, he said the lawn areas had been destroyed and the children’s playground could not be used.

He criticised the lack of police response, saying he was only aware of one intervention on Tuesday evening.

He said: “They have wrecked it. There has been a chronic lack of police presence.

“The entire park is trashed by vans wheelspinning.

“Lots of people are feeling vulnerable.

“We appreciate that eviction notices and court orders take time but there has been seemingly no intervention for our public safety and wellbeing.

“Everything the community pays for and our taxes pay for is destroyed and out of bounds.”

Watford Borough Council is dealing with the incident as the owners of the land.

It is believed the travellers are in the area for a funeral.