More than two dozen caravans have popped up in one of Guildford’s local parks, leaving authorities with limited options for removal.
Approximately 30 caravans descended upon Stoke Park on the evening of August 12, establishing themselves on the recreational grounds.
Despite the scale of the vehicles which have made their way into the town centre, police have determined the encampment fails to reach necessary legal criteria for immediate action.
Surrey Police have acknowledged its hands are tied by existing legislation governing such situations.
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 provides officers with specific powers under Sections 60, 61 and 62, but these can only be invoked when particular conditions are satisfied.
According to police, the encampment “does not currently meet the threshold of powers available to police” for managing unauthorised settlements.
Guildford Stoke Park
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The statutory framework requires evidence of damage, disruption or distress before enforcement action becomes possible.
Officers have already attended the site to assess the circumstances but concluded that intervention criteria remain unmet at present.
The makeshift settlement has transformed the normally tranquil playing field into something resembling an established caravan park.
Goalposts stand abandoned in the background whilst the vehicles occupy substantial portions of the pitch, rendering it unusable for sporting activities.
The travellers have equipped their temporary dwellings with generators and gas cylinders, suggesting preparations for an extended occupation.
The caravans sit scattered across the grass in a disorganised fashion, each accompanied by its towing vehicle.
This sudden appropriation of public recreational space has left residents of the leafy suburb with no choice but to tolerate the encampment whilst authorities remain legally hamstrung.
Surrey Police have pledged continued vigilance over the situation whilst collaborating with Guildford Borough Council, the landowner.
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A police spokesman confirmed: “Officers visited the site and will continue to monitor the situation while working closely with our partners at Guildford Borough Council, who own the land.”
The force indicated that circumstances would be kept under constant review to determine whether conditions might change.
“The relevant sections of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to judge whether the criteria to direct the site to be vacated has been met,” the spokesman added.
