A group of Travellers have left a country park after police were called.

About 30 vehicles pitched up on the field at the Holy Trinity Church end of Milton Creek Country Park near Sittingbourne last Sunday (June 1).

They had moved on from nearby Milton Regis Recreation Ground, where they had been since May 26.

It was the second time Travellers had visited that green space in a month.

Today it was confirmed the group had left Milton Creek Country Park.

Police say they were called shortly before 7pm yesterday (Friday) to reports of an unlawful encampment.

“Officers attended and liaised with the owners of the land, Swale Borough Council,” a force spokesman said.

“The Travellers have now left the area.”

It is understood the group began departing yesterday evening, and by the morning, had all left.

Organisers of the weekly 5km parkrun, due to take place at 9am today, had already called the event off on Thursday due to the Travellers setting up camp near where the start line – the entrance near Holy Trinity Church.

Ward councillor Kieran Mishchuk said it had been a “very frustrating few weeks for the community”.

“Volunteers have been out this morning and cleared up most of the rubbish – it’s just the human excrement left,” the Reform politician said.

“I understand the council will be out to pick that up this afternoon.”

The Friends of Milton Park launched a clean-up operation today, removing rubbish left behind on the Green Flag park.

Earlier this week, residents slammed the amount of waste dumped at Milton Rec.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told KentOnline he felt the situation was “disgraceful”.

“I'm in the right mind to pick up all the rubbish and dump it by their caravans,” the 32-year-old said.

“There have been reports of people's fences and gates being damaged as well.

“Something needs to be done, whether it be a dirt mound set along the entire perimeter of the field or bollards.”

A 40-year-old resident, who also did not want to be identified, said: “The mess they left was absolutely disgusting.

“There was litter all over the whole Rec. There was human and dog mess, dirty tissues, food, bottles, cans, glass and more.”