Residents have voiced their concern after travellers pitched up on Winn's Common, Plumstead.

Dozens of the vehicles arrived on Tuesday of last week (June 21), in what is becoming a frequent problem.

They forced entry onto the common by removing a number of perimeter bollards.

One resident said: "Saw what appears to be an illegal gypsy caravan site whilst walking across Winn's Common this morning.

"Dozens of vans parked on the grass."

News Shopper: Caravans on WINN COMMON

Others have taken to social media.

The council has since been locked in a legal process, which will culminate with a magistrates' court hearing on Monday.

A spokeswoman said: “Our officers visited the site within 30 minutes of the travellers gaining entry and notified them that they were trespassing and advised them that they were required to leave site immediately - they did not comply. Police officers also attended the site on June 21.

“Our officers contacted our legal services team that afternoon and instructed them to start the legal process to allow the council to remove the travellers from site.

“A notice under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 was served on the travellers on June 23 that required them to leave the site by 4pm the next day.

"They did not comply so our legal services team prepared paperwork and presented it to the magistrates court on Tuesday (June 28) who issued a summons that afternoon.

"The summons was served the next day (June 29) and requires the travellers to attend court on Monday (July 4).

"If an order is granted by the court on Monday for the travellers to leave the site then the matter will be referred to private bailiff’s company who will remove the occupants, after giving them 24 hours’ notice.

“We are aware that this is the latest episode of travellers gaining access to the site and we will be making a series of changes, such as more secure concreting to some of the existing bollards and the addition of new posts, to help prevent further access to the site.”