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Angry residents formed a blockade with their cars to stop travellers from moving onto their housing estate.

Locals involved in a 48-hour stand-off with the group said the tense situation "blew up" after a car window was smashed.

They claim they were subjected to sectarian chants and at least one death threat in scenes described as "hell on earth".

Police were called at least twice after two caravans parked on a green and the situation escalated into a furious row in Kinmel Bay, North Wales, the Daily Post reports.

(Image: Robert Parry-Jones/Wales Online)

Officers formed a cordon on Saturday night and urged residents to return to their homes before the travellers agreed to leave and move to old police station land in Prestatyn.

Police returned on Sunday afternoon after residents, who by then had blockaded the green with their cars, claimed two men had returned and issued threats.

Resident Steve Lee, 63, claimed householders had endured threats and abuse.

He said: “We have had the children and adults swearing at us, stones have been thrown at our houses, they’ve been using a track between our estate and Elwy Circle as a toilet and leaving human waste and toilet paper there.

(Image: Robert Parry-Jones/Wales Online)

“We have had 48 hours of hell on earth and the police said they couldn’t do anything because there were less than six caravans there.

“They told us they had 38 calls about them in 24 hours. The council said they were working with police and everything was well-documented.”

Mr Lee said when the rear window of his car was smashed "people power" took over and residents took to the streets to confront the travellers.

He said: “There were 120 residents on the street. Eight or nine police cars and 10 or 12 officers turned up and formed a cordon between us and the travellers, who were laughing at us and being abusive.

(Image: Robert Parry-Jones/Wales Online)

“The travellers started singing ‘Ha, ha, IRA’ at us and said we should get used to it because they now lived there.

“It just blew up. We had enough. They said they know where I live and they will come back and get me and they threatened to kill one of my neighbours.”

On Sunday afternoon five police cars and one police van stood watch as one of the traveller’s vehicles reportedly came back before speeding off pursued by a police vehicle.

Mr Lee’s wife Angela was visibly upset as she called for a change in the law.

She said: “What we are gathering is that they are above the law. The system is weighted unfairly towards the travelling community.

(Image: Robert Parry-Jones/Wales Online)

“The police called us inciteful for coming out together because we feel safer in numbers, because it’s been very scary.”

Conwy Councillor for Kinmel Bay, Nigel Smith, said he would be speaking with council officers.

He added: “I was very disappointed that North Wales Police’s hands were tied.

“Really I think it is not acceptable for travellers to be settling in the middle of housing estates as they have been.

“I think the local residents forced the police’s hand and forced the travellers to move on.”

North Wales Police have been approached for a comment.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Conwy Council said: "The Council and North Wales Police are working closely to resolve the situation, following the North Wales protocol for managing unauthorised encampments."