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A group of Travellers have converged on a recreation ground just over a month after a group was moved on.
Caravans have again been spotted at Jackson’s Field, Rochester, arriving on Monday (May 19).
At least five vehicles are lining the field, which is popular with dog walkers and children who use the play area.
Police were called to the land adjacent to City Way, Rochester earlier this week where they liaised with the landowners, Medway Council.
A spokesperson for the council said they were aware and were following a “civil legal process to move them on”.
If an unauthorised camp is on privately-owned land, it is the responsibility of the landowner to prevent or evict them.
Read more: The powers authorities have to stop unauthorised traveller encampments in Kent
Using common law powers, landowners do not need to involve the courts but private bailiffs can be brought in to enforce the powers if necessary.
Landowners will be able to evict an individual from their land, seek damages or seek an injunction to prevent it from occurring again, but there will not be a sanctions offence if the trespassers return to the land.
Councils have the responsibility to balance the general public interest with the human rights of the members of the encampment.
According to the Equality Act 2010, people must not be discriminated against because of their race – a category which includes travellers.
Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are legally recognised as ethnic groups and are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Read more: Travellers, the Romany and Roma in Kent: Who are they, their history, and modern social exclusion
Last month a group converged on the Jackson’s Field site, where they remained for several days before leaving.
It came shortly after another unauthorised encampment on the green at Beechings Way Playing Fields in Twydall.