Travellers forced to move on after setting up camp on lawns of Windsor Castle

Police community support officers and council staff were seen handing out welfare leaflets. (SWNS)
The Travellers have now set up their camp at Seymour Park, opposite the Royal Windsor Racecourse. (SWNS) (SWNS)

Members of the Travelling community who were camping on the lawns of Windsor Castle have been forced to relocate a few miles away.

The group initially parked 30 caravans and motorhomes on Windsor’s Long Walk on Tuesday, directly in front of the Queen’s private quarters.

The 2.6-mile track connects Windsor Castle with Snow Hill in Windsor Great Park and is a popular tourist destination.

The group dispersed after police were called to the scene at around 6pm.

They have now set up their camp at Seymour Park, opposite the Royal Windsor Racecourse, a little further down the road.

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The Royal Standard is flown from Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire, on Queen Elizabeth II's 95th birthday. In a statement posted on Twitter as she marked her 95th birthday, the Queen said:
The Travellers set up camp outside Windsor Castle. (Getty) (Steve Parsons - PA Images via Getty Images)
Earlier this year a charity revealed a “shocking” lack of areas for travellers to stay in England. (SWNS)
Earlier this year a charity revealed a 'shocking' lack of areas for Travellers to stay in England. (SWNS) (SWNS)

Police community support officers and council staff have been seen handing out welfare leaflets to the 10 or so caravans.

A police spokesperson said: “At around 6pm last night Thames Valley Police were called about an unauthorised encampment on the Long Walk in Windsor.

“Officers engaged with the landowner and also those in the encampment and those who had gathered dispersed.”

A spokesman for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead council added: “The [Seymour Park] encampment was set up last night at about 8pm after they were moved on from the Long Walk.

“The council is aware and in line with policy and statutory requirements on us welfare visits are being undertaken before any decisions are made on how to proceed.

“The situation will continue to be actively monitored to ensure that the impact on local residents and the environment is minimised.”

Previously, the group had been spotted at Kew Green in Richmond, near the Royal Botanic Gardens.

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Counsel workers handing out welfare notices to travellers. (SWNS)
Council workers handing out welfare notices to the Travellers. (SWNS) (SWNS)
Previously, the group had been spotted at Kew Green in Richmond, near the Royal Botanic Gardens. (SWNS)
Previously, the group had been spotted at Kew Green in Richmond, near the Royal Botanic Gardens. (SWNS) (SWNS)
Police moved the travellers on from outside Windsor Castle. (SWNS)
Police moved the Travellers on from outside Windsor Castle. (SWNS) (SWNS)

Earlier this year a charity revealed a “shocking” lack of areas for Travellers to stay in England.

Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) found that just 18 out of 251 registered Traveller sites had available spaces.

The FFT collected information from local councils and private registered Traveller site providers overseeing 3,482 permanent pitches.

Sarah Sweeney, policy and communications manager at FFT, said: "It is deeply unfair that while the government is dramatically failing to identify enough land for Gypsy and Traveller families to live on, the home secretary is working to create laws to imprison, fine and remove the homes of families living on roadside camps for the 'crime' of having nowhere else to go."

The government has previously said local authorities are "best placed" to determine requirements for permanent sites for Travellers.

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