Travellers say they’ve suffered racial abuse
A FAMILY of travellers have spoken of how they have “nowhere else to go” after pitching up at Nottingham’s Highfields Park, on land owned by the University of Nottingham.
Around seven caravans and other vehicles were pictured at the site, having set up on Monday after travelling from a site in Derby.
Among the group is the Devaney family, who have raised concerns since arriving in Nottingham.
Dad John Devaney told the Post: “People are calling us names and throwing litter at us over the gate.
“We travel as a family and we’ve got nowhere else to go.”
George Devaney, 28, added: “Last night people shouted racist things at us. We’re concerned for the safety of the kids.”
The group are expecting to stay on the site for a few more days or until they are asked to leave the site.
Explaining their day-to-day lives, mum Louise Devaney, 40, added: “We usually stay in places for a couple of days.
“We move around, we can’t help who we
are. The council hasn’t been down here yet to say anything.”
The family also addressed waste being left behind on the site and said no waste collectors had been to pick up their rubbish.
Louise said: “I just want the rubbish taken away. When we leave here we get the blame.”
And John added: “We keep things tidy as we don’t want to leave the place messy.”
A University of Nottingham spokesperson said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment on university land.
“Our security teams are working with police and the travellers to resolve the situation. We have started legal proceedings and will serve eviction notices if necessary.”