TRAVELLERS appear to have pitched up at Haresfinch Park this afternoon.

Currently, at least four caravans can be seen on the park.

St Helens Council has told the Local Democracy Reporter Service it is taking legal action to remove the group.

A council spokesman said: “The council is aware of an illegal encampment in Haresfinch Park and is taking the necessary legal steps to have the group removed as soon as possible.”

In June, the council had to seek an eviction notice after at least six caravans rolled up on Haresfinch Park.

Chief Inspector Gary O’Rourke, from the local policing team, updated the council’s safer communities overview and scrutiny panel last week on the influx of “illegal traveller camps” over the summer period.

He said the police worked with the land owners and the local authority to deal with the travellers.

Ch Ins O’Rourke said: “We do have an obligation to go out and obviously engage with the travellers on site. We do have to check on their welfare.

“We also engage with the local authority now and there’s a good process with the local authority in terms of securing orders and then we will support the eviction by proving police presence.

“But there is a real process now and it seems to be working really well.

“I appreciate from some people’s perspective they might say ‘they’re there for a couple of days, why don’t you move them straight away?’

“But there is a process sand we do have to abide by that, but I can assure you the process is working well.”