Clean-up promised after travellers leave sports centre

TRAVELLERS who had set up camp outside North Solihull Sports Centre have moved on, Solihull Council has confirmed.
Caravans had pitched up at the Chelmsley Wood facility earlier in the week, prompting the local authority to take enforcement action.
The council said it would undertake a "thorough clean-up" at the site and repair gates and barriers in an effort to prevent the group from returning.
The arrival of travellers at the leisure centre follows an encampment in Castle Bromwich last week and several previous incursions over the summer.
Solihull MP Julian Knight, who represents the constituency neighbouring Meriden, has argued that current laws need to be reviewed to speed up the process for removing travellers.
He has written to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid to ask that the Government looks at the issue and has launched an online petition urging for the introduction of tougher legislation.
"Too many of our parks and green spaces have been hijacked by travellers this summer, causing a great deal of disruption and distress to residents," he said.
"Although the power to tackle illegal camps directly rests with the council and the police, as MP I want to do what I can to help protect our community."
In response to the most recent incidents, the Solihull Police Partnership said that dealing with illegal camps was "not simple or straightforward".
"All encampments are managed based on their individual circumstance," said a spokesman.
"Our joint response is always quick - however, what we do, how it's done and the time it takes to move encampments depends on a range of factors.
"They include: what the law enables us to do, safeguarding issues, any threat posed, type of land, number of travellers, tactics available etc."