Travellers Move Onto Football Pitches In Market Harborough

A group of travellers have moved onto football pitches in Market Harborough.

Around 20 caravans and other vehicles turned up at the site behind Harborough Leisure Centre last night.

Travellers on football pitches in Market Harborough

Police attended and issued the group with a ‘notice to leave’ by later today.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police told HFM: “Shortly after 8pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 May) police were informed of an encampment on land in Northampton Road, Market Harborough.

“Officers have spoken to those at the site and have served them with a notice to leave.

“Officers from the Harborough and Wigston Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) are also liaising with the council regarding the matter.”

Travellers on football pitches in Market Harborough

The pitches are used by Harborough Town Football Club.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “Police have served a Section 61 notice on the travellers, which means they need to leave the site by 2.30pm today.

“The police will return to the site later this afternoon to enforce the order.

“Leicestershire County Council’s Multi-Agency Traveller Unit (MATU) worked with Harborough District Council, the football club and the police to ensure that the appropriate notice has been served.”

A spokesperson for Harborough District Council said: “Harborough District Council have been made aware of approximately 20 caravans that have set up on the grass football pitches behind Harborough Leisure Centre.

“The Council are liaising with the Police and the Multi-Agency Traveller Unit with a view to ensuring the caravans are moved off the site as soon as possible.”

Travellers on football pitches in Market Harborough