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  "path": "/news/wales-news-litchard-playing-fields-travellers-leave",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-20T11:45:48.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Two unauthorised traveller groups who took over sports pitch forced to pack up and leave after council order",
    "Much-loved park turned into 'no-go zone' after 'intimidating' traveller mob smashes their way in and sets up camp",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nTravellers who had occupied a football ground illegally for nearly a week have finally left.\n\nBridgend Council confirmed the group had left Litchard playing fields in Bridgend yesterday evening, with the final caravan driving off at 7.10pm.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nApproximately 13 caravans and as many as 20 vehicles had been stationed since Monday, June 15.\n\nMunicipal workers arrived at the site promptly as the encampment began dispersing.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe council said: \"Council crews proactively turned up after hearing that the first travellers started to leave and the initial clean-up operation started within seconds of the last caravan leaving.\"\n\nLocal residents had reported experiencing abuse and intimidation during the occupation.\n\nThe council had issued a legal direction under Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, demanding all vehicles and property be removed within 24 hours.\n\nDespite this eviction notice, the group refused to vacate the premises.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLitchard FC, whose home ground was occupied, expressed deep frustration at the situation.\n\nThe club said that the \"sight of caravans, motorhomes and vehicles spread across our playing fields has left many of our members frustrated and disappointed\".\n\nHundreds of young players and community members were prevented from using the facilities during the encampment, the club added.\n\nCouncillor Martin Williams claimed that he encountered hostility when he visited the site on Friday to assess the situation.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Two unauthorised traveller groups who took over sports pitch forced to pack up and leave after council order\n  * Much-loved park turned into 'no-go zone' after 'intimidating' traveller mob smashes their way in and sets up camp\n  * Bank Holiday carnage as travellers spend weekend 'tearing up fields and cutting down trees' while council offices are closed\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe said: \"I went to see what was happening and took a photo of the mess that was being left when I was confronted by a group of Travellers threatening to 'spark me out'. I experienced first-hand what residents are experiencing.\"\n\nThe local representative's account underscored the tensions that had developed between the encampment and the surrounding community during the occupation.\n\nFor Litchard FC, the disruption meant the wider community lost access to recreational space that would normally serve local families and young footballers.\n\nSouth Wales Police confirmed being aware of the encampment and had been liaising with Bridgend County Borough Council throughout the incident.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBefore the group's departure, the council had escalated its legal response by applying for an order under Section 78 of the Act.\n\nThis would have authorised High Court Enforcement Officers to remove the vehicles, with any obstruction constituting a criminal offence.\n\nAn urgent hearing had been scheduled for Monday afternoon at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.\n\nHowever, with the travellers having now departed voluntarily, the council indicated it would conduct an inspection of the site following the removal of all caravans.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Travellers finally leave much-loved sports pitches as locals launch major clean-up operation"
}