Travellers take over a supermarket car park by setting up an illegal camp outside Morrisons as shoppers complain some are buying their groceries in their dressing gowns
- A group of travellers have set up camp at the Morrisons car park in Walsall
- Six caravans were spotted in the Lichfield Street branch on Thursday evening
- It comes a day after caravans were parked up at Tesco in neighbouring Dudley
A group of travellers have set up an illegal camp in a car park in Morrisons car park just months after they were banned from six sites in the market town.
Six caravans have moved outside the Lichfield Street brand in Walsall, West Midlands.
Shoppers were left shocked when several female travellers were spotted wandering the supermarket aisles wearing dressing gowns.
Six caravans have set up camp in the car park of the Morrisons branch in Lichfield Street, Walsall, West Midlands
The travellers are understood to have pitched up outside the supermarket last night.
They appear to have blocked several parking spaces near the shop entrance.
A Walsall Council spokesman confirmed the ‘unauthorised encampment’.
They said: ‘This is private land and it is therefore the responsibility of the land owner to take any appropriate action.
‘Officers from the Community Protection Team have been in contact with the store to ensure they are aware of the position and to enquire if they need any support.’
The travellers are thought to have pitched up outside the supermarket (pictured) last night and have blocked several parking spaces near the shop entrance
Shopper Betty Dixon, 60, said: ‘I feel for the travelling community but frankly the last thing I want to see when I’m buying groceries for the weekend are half-naked women in the shop wearing their night gowns.
‘I walked past a couple of the young men with the group and they just stared at me.
‘It’s quite intimidating for people, especially if they are on their own.’
The arrival of the travellers comes after caravans were spotted on the car park of Tesco.
Their arrival comes just months after being banned from six more sites across the market town. An injunction, enforced by Walsall Country Court, bans them from driving on and setting up camp in specified areas
Caravans were seen parked up in nearby Dudley, West Midlands, on Wednesday.
It comes after travellers were banned from six more sites across the market town.
They are now prohibited from Bloxwich Active Living Centre and Leamore Park, George Rose Park, Brownhills Common and Hollands Park, Wyrley Common, Mallory Crescent and Rushall Playing Fields.
The injunction, enforced by Walsall Country Court, bans them from driving on and setting up camp in the specified areas.
Police officers are to be given the power to arrest travellers who set up unauthorised camps, thanks to the Police Powers and Protections Bill proposed in the Queen’s Speech.
Morrisons and Walsall Council have been approached for comment.
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