Keighley’s MP Robbie Moore has held a meeting at Marley playing fields to discuss the disruption caused by Travellers setting up camp at the site.
The meeting follows sustained damage to the popular Keighley playing fields by Travellers over the last few years, with a trail of damage left by travellers at the site and intimidation towards members of the public reported just last month.
Stakeholders from Bradford Council, which owns the site, as well as West Yorkshire Police and Site Managers from Marley met with Mr Moore to discuss measures to improve security and prevent a recurrence of the disruption in the future.
Mr Moore, who says he has been contacted by a number of constituents over the issue, has expressed his frustration at council tax payers being left to foot the bill for repairs.
The meeting’s aim was to ensure that that Marley site is much better secured for the future and that all reports presented to the Police of criminal damage, intimidation and anti social behaviour are acted upon.
The construction of a new sliding overhead barrier and the instillation of more robust measures at each side of the Marley entrance were just some of the measures raised at the meeting, as well as the installation of bollards to create a one-way system in and out of the car park and the protection of locks with steel boxes.
Speaking after the meeting, Robbie Moore MP said:
“People are fed up of travellers setting up camp at Marley and subsequently causing damage, disruption, and intimidation towards local residents. Recent reported crimes that have been linked to Travellers have been closed with no outcome and I am aware of financial loss that has been experienced by local groups and organisations who use the Marley site.
It is therefore important that we have a comprehensive plan of action to deal with this ongoing annual issue, such as beefing up measures which prevent Travellers from illegally taking access in the first place. Given the huge cost to the local taxpayer of having to clean up the mess which is left behind, I am pleased to hear the Council are taking steps to improve security measures at Marley. It is also important that there is a joined up approach between the Council and the Police in dealing with complaints and reports which are made, and this was discussed at the meeting.
This is all about fairness, and it simply isn’t fair when travellers cause damage which then has to be resolved at the taxpayers' expense.”
