Residents in Northumberland town slam police and council after month-long unauthorised camping at public park

While the campers have now finally moved on from Tyne Green in Hexham, there is fear that without strict enforcement problems will be worse next year.

Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Police have been urged to take tough action, with residents claiming their lives had been made hell by the unlawful camp.

At a meeting of Hexham Town Council on Monday, a number of locals criticised both the campers and the authorities for failing to take any action.

Resident Karen Bewick said: “My main issue is the way Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Police dealt with the situation. I personally felt I was immediately considered to be a middle-aged NIMBY (not in my backyard).

“I had to ring 999 because I was chased by a number of male campers. I had asked them how long they were going to stay and was called an F’ing piece of S by one of the ladies and chased by the men.

“There were more than seven vehicles on there. The main issue I have is less to do with the people, it’s the way the authorities have handled it.

“The night of the national alert for wildfires – that very night – they lit a huge fire from pallets.”

Louise Simpson added: “They weren’t travellers – they didn’t travel. They sat there for 34 days, they arrived on July 28 and the last of them left on August 30.

“They caused noise, disturbance and distress. We had children galloping horses up and down – I couldn’t walk my dogs off the lead.

“My life was made a living hell. I was nearly ran over by a vehicle that drove straight at me.

“Why were actions not followed through? They have caused a lot of damage.”

Eileen Joyce continued: “I haven’t got a problem with the travellers who go to Appleby – we have lived there for 40 years and never had a problem, they clear the mess. This is beyond a joke.

“It’s not travellers, it’s campers. I feel as though it’s going to escalate.”

And Susan Henderson simply said: “The whole thing is a shambles. It’s disgusting.

“There is a lot of people down there enjoying Tyne Green now – that’s what it used to be. It has been abused.”

Mayor of Hexham Coun Derek Kennedy, who also represents the town’s West ward on the county council, said: “I have received many complaints that Tyne Green and the surrounding area has not been used the way it should be used.

“At the start of the season travellers come and they travel on to Appleby Horse Fair, and we accept that. This is not travellers – this is people who have been using Tyne Green and the surrounding area as a caravan park.

“We need to fix it for next year. It needs a properly thought out solution as to how we prevent this from happening again.

“This has taken everybody by surprise. They have gotten away with murder as far as I’m concerned.

“It isn’t our land, but these are our people. These are our issues, we want this resolved.

“This is Northumberland County Council land, but the silence from the county council has been deafening- I’m really disappointed. The officers who have tried to deal with it have a really tough job, they have been overwhelmed by people behaving in such an unacceptable manner.

“We need a solution so we don’t have this happening again next year. We know we will and this is what’s going to happen.

“Hexham Town Council is very disturbed by the problems that have been suffered by local residents and users of Tyne Green all summer.”

Cllr Penny Grennan added: “We need to understand what went wrong. Everybody was passing things down the line and I want to know why – I don’t understand it.

“Criminality is criminality. We have to get to the bottom of this – of what happened, what we can do to prevent it and what do we do if it happens again?”

Cllr Steven Ball said: “It’s an illegal camp, full stop. It’s all about enforcement – there’s nothing more certain than these people coming back next year with a lot more friends and the problem will be insurmountable, they will have security in numbers.”

And Cllr Suzanne Fairless-Aitken, county councillor for Hexham East, said: “We need to put reasonable and fair solutions in place. This can’t keep happening, it has got to stop.

“I’m for any measures that we think the town council can push forward.”

Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “The council continues to work with its partners to protect our communities and green spaces across the county.

“Due to an increase in unauthorised camping on public open spaces this year including on or near to Tyne Green we are working together to discuss the issues raised, review the current position, and consider any appropriate actions to tackle these.

“We encourage people to report any illegal activities to the police and visitors should only camp in legal, designated campsites to respect these areas for everyone to enjoy.”

The police do have powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to move on campers, but it is understood these powers require high thresholds and evidence of “significant” damage, disruption or distress.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “On August 8, we received a report of verbal abuse alleged to have taken place in the Hexham area. Following enquiries, this was not progressed further due to lack of evidence.

“A further report was made on August 14 related to the arrival of an additional caravan and transit van in the area. No associated crime or anti-social behaviour was reported.

“We continue to work alongside our partner agencies to address any issues relating to anti-social behaviour.

“A multi-agency meeting is due to take place later this month which will bring together all relevant partners to review the issues raised as well as clarify responsibilities and identify constructive options for the future.

“Anyone with concerns around ASB can send us a direct message on social media or use the live chat and report forms on our Force website.

“Those unable to make contact via the above methods can call us on 101.”