Gipsies

I am incensed that the local residents of Nailsea and Wraxall had to endure the nightmare of gypsies/travellers on The Elms site off Lodge Lane for over a week.It appears to me that the gypsies are above the law and have superior rights to the rest of us.Once they had illegally entered the site causing criminal damage, immediate action should have taken place to move the unwelcome visitors on.To be fair I attach no blame to North Somerset Council. Once the gypsies had gained access their hands were tied and they had to follow various legal procedures to evict.However I am very critical of the police who seemed to wash their hands of the whole episode. It's my understanding that if criminal damage or public nuisance occurs the police can take steps to move people on or arrest if necessary.Because no immediate action was taken local residents have had to put up with * Continual noise at night from motorcycles riding around the site.* Vandalising and chopping down of trees.* Burning of fires most of the night giving off unpleasant fumes.* The whole site becoming a health hazard with dog faeces everywhere.* Constant intimidation from gypsy adults and children to local residents.* Alleged thefts of property.* Dumping of large quantities of miscellaneous goods on to the site.Of course the gypsies will now ride off in the middle of the night reeking havoc on some other poor community and it is North Somerset Council which will have to spend time and money at our expense clearing The Elms site up. Looking forward, one thing North Somerset Council must now do is to make The Elms site totally secure, so this nightmare cannot be repeated.Andy Cole - District councillor - Nailsea East