Prestatyn: Irish traveller insists 'we're not here to cause problems'

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Around 10 caravans pitched up on a field this week in Prestatyn, north Wales, but the council confirmed this was “an unauthorised encampment”.

I think people have this vision of us being nasty people but we do get looked at differently because of our culture by passers by, and people think of us as lower class than themselves

A traveller

One traveller, who said he was from Ireland, said councils should reserve permenant sites for such communities.

He also told North Wales Live: “The problem is people don’t give us a chance, we are human. People have their opinions of us, calling us ‘Gypos’ and frowning upon us.

“I think people have this vision of us being nasty people but we do get looked at differently because of our culture by passers by, and people think of us as lower class than themselves.”

Councils have the power to serve a notice to leave if the encampment is on their land but the traveller said his community said they’ve not caused any harm.

“We are not here to cause any problems or hassle anybody,” he added.

“We are just here for a week break so nobody should be terrified or be afraid, we are human.

“We are like everybody and we have to live, we will appreciate everyone in the neighbourhood.

“We are not causing any mess, we’re keeping everywhere clean, we pick up mess. We look after where we are.

“We have to live and and we respect the people around us.”

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment on council land at Bastion Road, Prestatyn.

“Welfare visits have taken place and large bins have been provided.

“The Council is working with the occupants to provide other necessary facilities and will continue to monitor the situation.”

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