Local green flag park damaged by travellers for second time in six months.

31^st October 2016

Local green flag park damaged by travellers for second time in six months.

The Friends of Selly Oak Park have tonight called for a review of the police response to travellers on the city’s park following damage to the park caused by travellers in June and October. The latest group of travellers arrived at the weekend but were not moved on by police despite having gained access to the park by forced entry. This delay resulted in the travellers being able to cut braches off trees I the park in order to light bonfires. There we also reports of fireworks being thrown at cars on Gibbins Rd. While the Friends of Selly Oak Park believe that all communities are entitled to the lifestyle of their choice no one should be allowed defecate, fly tip, light fires in a public park or use a park as a site for an unofficial firework display. While West Midlands Police and Fire service did attend they did not extinguish the fires or prevent fireworks from being thrown at cars. We demand an explanation as to why the fires were allowed to continue and ask that the travellers, who have now clearly committed offences have not been moved on with immediate effect. We also call on Birmingham City Council to install new gates at the park.

Notes to editors

Friends of Selly Oak Park is a not for profit community group dedicated to supporting the park and the needs of its users.

Selly Oak Park has been a Green Flag park since 2013 and had recently had this status renewed for 2016/17.