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Kesgrave travellers fears prompts wheelie bin blockade Kesgrave travellers fears prompts wheelie bin blockade
(about 3 hours later)
Residents have blocked green spaces with wheelie bins and cars amid reports of travellers descending on a town.Residents have blocked green spaces with wheelie bins and cars amid reports of travellers descending on a town.
Several caravans are already on a field in Kesgrave, Suffolk, and word has spread on social media that 100 more travellers were set to join the unauthorised camp on Grange Farm. Several caravans are already on a field in Kesgrave, Suffolk, and word spread on social media that 100 more travellers were set to join the unauthorised camp on Grange Farm.
Suffolk Police said it had a "small police presence" in the area after reports of "community tension". Police said they put a "small presence" in the area after reports of "community tension", but there was no disorder.
A police spokesman said no crime or disorder had been reported. A Gypsy Council spokeswoman called the blockades "pathetic" and "shameful".
He said the area would continue to be monitored.
Live updates: Blockades remain in placeLive updates: Blockades remain in place
About 13 caravans first arrived on land near Cardew Drift on 15 June with more arriving over the next fortnight. About 13 caravans first arrived on land off Ropes Drive on 15 June with more arriving over the next fortnight.
But on Tuesday legal action to have them evicted was adjourned until July by a district judge to ensure all travellers on the site were aware of efforts to have them moved on.But on Tuesday legal action to have them evicted was adjourned until July by a district judge to ensure all travellers on the site were aware of efforts to have them moved on.
There are 185 authorised travellers pitches currently in Suffolk, but none in the Suffolk Coastal area.There are 185 authorised travellers pitches currently in Suffolk, but none in the Suffolk Coastal area.
Rumours began on social media that more travellers were due to arrive in the town for a christening. Rumours began on social media that more travellers were due to arrive in Kesgrave for a christening, but it turned out to be five children taking their first communion at the Holy Family Church on Friday morning as part of a normal Mass.
It has since been confirmed that five children were due to take their first communion at the Holy Family Church on Friday morning as part of a normal Mass. BBC reporter Andrew Woodger at the scene said there were only about a dozen cars there, not the many that were rumoured to be on their way.
However, BBC reporter Andrew Woodger at the scene said there were only about a dozen cars there, not the many that were rumoured to be on their way. Thomas Hanrahan, one of the travellers at the Mass, said: "It's a small private affair and I'm sorry they feel that way and, if they're panicking, I can only apologise for that."
Nearly 4,000 residents have joined a community Facebook group to discuss the situation, with many people saying they had been monitoring green spaces overnight. Nearly 4,000 residents joined a community Facebook group to discuss the situation, with many people saying they had been monitoring green spaces overnight.
One said: "06.05am. Oak Meadow all clear. Thank goodness."One said: "06.05am. Oak Meadow all clear. Thank goodness."
Another woman said: "When this is all over... lets have a grange farm residents BBQ/party at the millennium field... to celebrate the residents coming together during this worrying time..everyone has shown great community spirit."Another woman said: "When this is all over... lets have a grange farm residents BBQ/party at the millennium field... to celebrate the residents coming together during this worrying time..everyone has shown great community spirit."
Christopher Hudson, Conservative county councillor, told BBC Radio Suffolk he was backing the action taken by residents, and blamed a lack of action to remove the group who had been in the area for about a month. Speaking about the blockades, Candy Sheridan from the Gypsy Council said: "How pathetic and how un-Christian in this day and age when people come many miles to celebrate, what sort of a response is this?"
The Gypsy Council has been approached for comment. "It is shameful in this Christian world we live in that people are being berated for doing Christian activities."
She blamed the county council for a lack of spaces for travellers, suggesting that residents should introduce themselves to the travellers already in Kesgrave to "immediately break down that resentment".
Suffolk County Council's deputy leader Christopher Hudson told BBC Radio Suffolk he backed the action taken by residents and did not think more pitches would be available soon.