Council and police officers have moved on two unauthorised encampments in Sandwell within five hours of them arriving.

A section 62 notice was served on the group who declined the use of the council’s transit site - they were moved on within three hours. Yesterday evening, another group with four caravans moved on to Ashtree Playing Fields in Old Hill.

Sandwell Council’s environmental protection officers and police visited the site and offered the group the use of the council’s transit site – warning them refusal of the offer would mean they would have to leave the borough or face arrest. The transit site requires groups to pay a deposit per caravan and a weekly rent. Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economy Councillor Paul Moore said:

“This yet again shows how effective our partnership with the police and the transit site is proving. I’d like to thank council officers and police for their swift actions to move on these groups.”

Police and council officers prepared to issue a section 62 notice, ordering the group off the land. Two of the four caravans were moved, and a section 62 notice was issued on the group in the final two caravans.

They had left the site by 8.30pm and the site has been secured with a concrete barrier.