Just whose problem are trespassing travellers?

THE latest trespassing on council-owned land along Angel Drove, Ely by a group of travellers has caused big problems to local businesses.

Your report quotes Police Inspector Adam Gallop saying: "This is not a police issue". I have to ask the question, whose issue is it? Are they breaking the law or not?

Likewise, travellers who descended on The Several public open space at Newmarket and refused to move brought a response from Chief Inspector Stuart Sedgewick, of Newmarket police, who was quoted as saying: "We are continuing to monitor the situation and are aware that it does have an impact on the community". Too right it does.

I am sure that both officers are dedicated policemen who are trying their best to do their duty, but surely there is something badly wrong with our legal system if the police are helpless in the face of these intrusions. What would happen if travellers decided to camp in my garden, would that be a police issue? Who could I turn to?

And what would be the police response if legitimate caravan club members decided they would like to spend a week's holiday on The Severals, without obtaining permission?

The travellers say they have nowhere else to go, well I suggest they go back to wherever they came from originally and spare our communities all the anxiety and anti-social behaviour that inevitably comes with them.

I hope that our MPs Messrs. James Paice and Richard Spring take note of this situation as they are in a position to do something about it ... all we mere voters can do is to write to the newspapers.

RODNEY VINCENT

Stuntney