Unconfirmed reports tonight (sunday) claimed that a group of travellers had returned to an area of land near Ham House.

A massive clean-up operation was launched by the council on 21st May when a group of travellers and eight vehicles moved on from the site after a week's stay.

The council had admitted it was powerless to move the travellers on because of new legislation introduced because of the pandemic and covering health and safety.

The camp was set up on Thursday 14th May and in normal circumstances the Council would act swiftly with the police to ensure that travellers moved on, often in a matter of days.

But new rules introduced because of the pandemic brought along new factors that councils must consider in decision making when contemplating enforcement action against such camps.

This includes new Government guidance relating to the particular vulnerability of travellers families to Covid-19.

This particular group, said the council, in Ham included families with young children and a number of pregnant women. The Council has a duty of care to all those who reside in the borough – particularly those in the most need.