Unauthorised encampment in Guildford’s Stoke Park ‘refuse’ to leave: ‘Most are reasonable and move on’

Guildford Borough Council has announced it is applying for a court order in relation to an unauthorised encampment currently in the town’s Stoke Park. It comes as a spokesperson for the council said in a statement that most encampments are reasonable and move on within 24 hours of an order being issued.

The spokesperson said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Stoke Park. The matter was reported to police who attended on the evening the encampment arrived.

“As the encampment didn’t leave when asked, we’re applying for a court order. Most encampments are reasonable and move on within 24 hours of the order being served.”

READ MORE: Travellers on why Surrey needs transit sites – and Surrey Police agrees

The council spokesperson continued that the speed of this process can be dependent on the availability of court time. The unauthorised encampment is said to include around 17 caravans and was first reported in the area last Thursday (May 18).

A spokesperson for Surrey Police commented on Monday (May 22) and said: “Surrey Police were made aware of an unauthorised encampment of around 17 caravans and associated vehicles in Stoke Park on Thursday, May 18. Officers have visited the site and will continue to work with our partners at Guildford Borough Council, who own the land, to monitor the situation.”

A spokesperson for Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum has previously led calls for a transit site in the county for travelling families to stop at. They said at the time: “Surrey does not have any temporary stop sites which means that people on the road have to find places which may not be popular with local people.