Big Fat Gypsy Invasion! Travellers roll onto common and set up camp with authorities powerless to move them on until after bank holiday The travellers have descended on Greta Park in Hedge End, a children's play park near Southampton With the council and courts shut today, the travellers cannot be moved on until they return Hedge End Town Council has previously had similar issues and said they would be erecting security barriers By Jack Newman For Mailonline Published: 12:28 BST, 27 May 2019 | Updated: 12:43 BST, 27 May 2019 Viewcomments Advertisement A group of travellers have descended on a park near Southampton and the local authorities are unable to take action until after the bank holiday. It is understood the travellers were previously in Winchester living in a Park and Ride car park. When they were moved on Sunday after being handed an eviction notice, the group then descended on the park in Hedge End. Police arrived at Greta Park this morning to see if any criminality was taking place but powers of eviction come under the remit of the landowner because trespassing is a civil, not criminal offence. The park, which has a play area, skateboard half-pipe, basketball courts and youth shelter, is managed by Hedge End Town Council. But with council workers away for the bank holiday, the travellers are able to enjoy the park without disturbance until they return. The council will then have to obtain a court order - which are also not open again until after the bank holiday. A group of travellers have descended on Greta Park in Hedge End, Eastleigh, and council workers are unable to move them on until after the bank holiday It is understood the group of travellers were previously at a park and ride car park in Winchester before they were moved on Council workers are away for the bank holiday and courts are not in session so the travellers are able to wait until being served an order The council will have to follow proper legal processes to evict the travellers, by notifying them of their intention and obtaining a court order Residents have previously complained about travellers coming to the park. One said after an incident two years ago: 'Everyone in Hedge End wants something to be done as soon as possible' Greta Park has previously had similar incidents of travellers pitching up and Cllr Jerry Hall said last time he intended to put up security barriers Due to the timing of their arrival at Greta Park, it could be some time before the council can hand the travellers an eviction notice Hampshire Police attended the site this morning but left after there were no signs of criminality taking place. Trespassing is a civil, not criminal offence The park, which has a play area, skateboard half-pipe, basketball courts and youth shelter, is managed by Hedge End Town Council While trespassing is a civil offence, failing to move when ordered to is a criminal offence which can result in arrests or vehicles being impounded MailOnline has contacted Hedge End Town Council for comment Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility