Travellers move on to football pitches at popular Steel City Sports Ground in Sheffield
Residents say vehicles are parked on pitches
Travellers have moved on to a popular sports ground in Sheffield.
Up to 20 caravans are reported to have stopped on Steel City Sports Ground, on Shiregreen Lane.
Residents say vehicles are parked on football pitches and games have had to be cancelled.
One, posting on a local Facebook group, said: “Kids train and play football on there every day, matches have had to be cancelled this week.
“It doesn’t matter how long they stay, it’s not fair to other people that use that space as a football club.”
In response, a person said they were not harming anyone.
But this was disputed by one who complained about dogs running loose, adding: “they threatened residents last time they were here.”
Another posted that her grandson’s football team plays at the site and the camp would disrupt matches and training.
They added: “He was threatened last night as he asked them to leave.”
South Yorkshire Police said they were co-ordinating with Sheffield City Council and the authority was leading on their response.
Sheffield City Council was approached for comment.
Last year, travellers stopped on Wincobank Common for more than two weeks. They sparked complaints about rubbish and an area apparently being used as a toilet.
Some 20 traveller caravans also stopped on Sheffield Utilita Arena car park in September.
Arena bosses went to the High Court to obtain an eviction notice. The group left hours before the deadline.