A group of residents are living in fear due to a large group of travellers moving onto a playing field in New Eltham.

Around 20 caravans have pitched onto the disused Gaelic football ground in Avery Hill Road on May 18.

The travellers are able to gain access to residents back gardens through the field which is causing concern for residents.

An Avery Hill Road resident said: "I looked out my window and saw a group of 20 caravans full of travellers break onto the Gaelic sports ground.

"They cut through the gates and put their own locks on so police couldn't remove them."

A Metropolitan police spokeswoman confirmed officers had attended the site following reports from a number of people that caravans were parked illegally on private land.

She added that officers were currently liaising with the land owners.

An Avery Hill resident who asked not to be named said: "It's a bit scary, we're thinking about buying a CCTV camera.

"As soon as they moved here there were kids looking into people's cars, my children were really scared and started crying so I didn't get much sleep last night.

"Police told me they couldn't do anything because the land is privately owned."

The travellers gained access to the site around 11pm after using bolt cutters to break the padlocks.

Eltham South Councillor Matt Clare said: "Residents are understandably concerned - as soon as this was reported we got in touch with the police, council and land owner directly.

"We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure it is resolved as soon as possible."

A local residents group has also accused the travellers of fly tipping over the field.

Raged Residents chairman Malcolm Bind said: "The travellers there drive in and out unhindered and we have no evidence anything is being done to stop this abomination or remove these trespassers on the site.

"I witnessed over 10 loads yesterday (May 21) and already five more this morning."

Travellers have also been spotted at the Butterfly Club in Butterfly Lane, Eltham