Police force travellers to move on after convoy of 30 caravans sets up camp in a school's playing field



A group of travellers has been ordered off a school's playing field after setting up camp with 30 caravans, forcing hundreds of children to stay at home.

Education bosses immediately set up an exclusion zone at Smithills School, Bolton, after the extraordinary convoy moved in on Sunday evening.

Around 300 Year 8 pupils were told to work from home because their classrooms are next to the playing fields and it was feared the travellers' presence could cause disruption to classes.

The travellers' camp with 30 caravans that occupied the playing fields at Smithills School, Bolton

The travellers' departure has come too late to save the school's sports day today, which has had to be cancelled as the field is cleared up.



Headteacher Chris Roberts said: 'It has caused disruption but staff and pupils have been fantastic and responded well.'

Police spoke to the group to inform them that trespass, which is normally a civil offence, is elevated to a criminal offence when it is carried out on a school premises and causes disruption.

Washing hung up to dry in the sunshine on the fields on Monday where the school's sports day is due to be held today

This would have given the police the power of arrest if the travellers had refused to move on.

Sgt John Nicol, of the Bolton West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: 'We take this very seriously and are taking positive action to ensure the smooth running of the school.'



Bolton Council officers were due to visit the travellers yesterday to give them a direction to leave the land.

The travellers were given notice to leave a local park by Bolton Council after the caravans appeared near the main entrance, off Moss Bank Way, on Monday night.

The travellers' latest move has caused concern among local residents.

One said: 'I saw all the caravans through the trees when I came in from church this morning. I do not understand it. The school always has football and cricket matches on. What are they doing with all those vehicles there?

'I know they come to Moss Bank Park quite often, but not on a school field.'