The former Bill Everett Centre has now been reclaimed following a traveller incursion last week.

The encampment, which consisted of 18 caravans, was set up after travellers broke into the county council-owned plot in Leggatts Way.

What then followed was a large scale fly-tipping operation, believed to be the work of an organised crime group rather than travellers simply looking for somewhere to stay, according to Watford Borough Council.

READ MORE: Pictures reveal mountains of rubbish at illegal traveller site

Since reclaiming the site on Tuesday morning, two tipper trucks believed to be involved in the fly-tipping have been seized.

Both the police and council continue to investigate both the fly-tippers themselves and the businesses which have potentially given their waste to them.

Watford’s top cop Chief Inspector Paul Sandwell said: “We have been working hard behind the scenes with our partners at Watford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council to bring this incident to a close as soon as possible.

“Work is still continuing and I want to reassure people that we are not simply ignoring the issue but are working to try and eradicate the problem altogether.

Mayor Dorothy Thornhill added: “Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence and the council will use every power at our disposal to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

“Dumping waste not only blights communities but also costs Hertfordshire taxpayers thousands of pounds which should be being spent on vital local services.

“It is clear by the huge volume of waste dumped on the site that we are dealing with an organised crime gang rather than petty criminals.

“We will work with our partners to deter criminals from dumping waste in our town, even if that means seizing and crushing vehicles.”