A national charity has slammed Bromley Council for successfully obtaining a High Court injunction to prevent all travellers from staying in the borough.

Friends Families and Travellers believe the army of caravans arriving in Bromley in the past week is understandable considering the shortage of spaces allocated to them.

A spokesman for the charity told News Shopper: “We are deeply saddened to hear that the council is applying to use a High Court injunction to prevent gypsy and traveller families from stopping in the Bromley area.

“Local authorities across the country have largely failed to identify land for gypsy and traveller families to stop so it should come as little surprise to them when families pull up in public spaces and on private land. Everybody needs a place to live.”

On Monday (August 13) travellers stormed on to Willett Recreation Ground in Petts Wood, prompting a police response.

READ MORE - Uproar in Bromley as travellers continue to invade public spaces

News Shopper: Hayes Common in Bickley today (August 15)

Travellers have also been on Whitehall Recreation Ground and Hayes Common.

Councillor Kate Lymer, executive councillor for public protection and enforcement, said: “We will not accept illegal encampments on our greenspaces, parks and other areas managed by the Council and are totally committed to using our legal powers.

"This welcome High Court injunction underlines our determination to use all legal measures at our disposal, which will hopefully speed up some of the frustrating delays we have experienced. We have been preparing the legal documentation for a while now which strengthens the legal framework on a local level when tackling traveller incursions."

The spokesman for Friends and Families and Travellers said there was a “chronic national shortage” of gypsy and traveller sites throughout the UK.

He added: “Sixteen per cent of caravans in the July 2017 national caravan count were on unauthorised land, largely as a result of this.

"This means that many gypsy and traveller families are statutorily homeless and have interrupted access to basic water and sanitation, education and healthcare.

“Many traditional stopping places and green lanes where gypsy and traveller families have stopped for centuries have systematically been closed off, forcing gypsy and traveller families to stop in public spaces.

“Everyone needs a place to live and local authorities must begin to allocate land in their Local Plan where gypsies and travellers can stop in their areas.”