A council member has vowed to “go the extra mile” and clean up a site where a travelling community have set up camp for the fifth time in three years. 

County Councillor for North Watford, Asif Khan, said his constituents in Leggatts ward are at their “wits end at the continuous encroachment” of a group of travellers at Leggatts Green in Watford. 

The group moved onto the football pitch which is home to Everett Rovers FC on June 13, breaking open metal barriers and removing concrete bollards to gain entry.

On the pitch there are currently 19 caravans and an area near Harebreaks Wood where rubbish has been dumped. 

Mr Khan said: “This is the fifth encroachment in three years and it just can’t carry on like this.

“The disruption to local resident’s lives, and to Everett Rovers football team and the fly-tipping clear-up is now a regular occurrence and it isn’t right.

This most recent “encroachment” is believed to be the same group evicted from Park Avenue, Bushey at the beginning of June. 

A resident close to the Park Avenue site who did not want to be named, said: “When this happens and when the police are called and they can see physical damage has been caused there should be immediate action to remove them.

“They drive work trades vehicles which are easily identifiable. If you want to live here and travel and not pay council tax you still have to live by the law of the land. Local councillors need to protect their community.”

The man claims the wire fence at Park Avenue had also been cut to gain access and that much of the rubbish left behind when the community were moved on had still not been adequately cleaned up.

He added: “I think the council were not speedy in their reaction and this is also a huge expense involving courts and police man power. 

“I am not happy with the repairs or the clean-up. Councillors need to not just pay lip service but approach the local government and do what they were elected to do.”

Cllr Khan said the community at Leggatts Green had been served a summons on June 18 and that landowners, Taylor Wimpey, were preparing for an eviction on Friday.

When asked what measures can be taken in future, Mr Khan said: “It’s a cliché but organisations such as the council and police need work together to deter encroachment.

“We need to look at ways of stopping it happening again, such as landscaping measures or other sites.

“I am going to organise a meeting, on behalf of residents, with the police, Herts County Council, Watford Borough Council, Everett Rovers Football Club and Taylor Wimpey find a solution to securing the site once and for all. 

“There are solutions out there, and I’m willing to go the extra mile to find one.”

Cllr Richard Smith said: “We’ve been speaking with residents and they are rightly fed-up with it. I know that they have been served a notice to appear in court on Friday, June 22. 

“Taylor Wimpey have confirmed bailiffs will be used to carry out the eviction on Friday if the group have not left.”

Peter Taylor, elected Mayor of Watford, said: “Bailiffs will be used by site owners Taylor Wimpey on Friday as soon as they have got legal permission to do so.

"A thorough clean-up of Leggatts Green and the nearby areas will take place as soon as possible. The Council are working with Taylor Wimpey and the football club to support them in improving their security and making the site inaccessible to caravans.  

"A solution has already been identified. We are continuing to monitor the site closely with our partners at Herts Police. Illegal encampments will not be tolerated in Watford.”