Overview
- A convoy of about a dozen caravans parked on Redcar Athletic’s football pitches on Sunday, August 9, forcing all scheduled matches to be cancelled.
- A second, smaller encampment appeared at Kirkleatham Showground by Tuesday morning and local councillors reported both sites to the council.
- Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has visited the sites and started its Unauthorised Encampment Procedure with legal teams preparing notices to move the occupants.
- Police say officers are aware of both encampments and are liaising with the council as allegations of dangerous driving, damage to pitches, unlawful entry and suspected drug use are investigated.
- MP Anna Turley and local councillors have urged use of Section 61 powers—police authority to remove trespassers when certain conditions are met—and the council warns removal will follow legal steps that can incur taxpayer cost.