Travellers set up camp at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre

On Friday morning, a group of around 20 caravans appeared on the playing field at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre on Weston Lane.

The group are pitched across the playing field – which is also a popular green space for dog walkers and children playing sports.

Those living on Weston Lane says that travellers come to the area every year and caused problems for locals in the past.

The group turned up on Friday morning (Image: NQ) One Weston Lane resident who lives near to the leisure centre said: "They have been here a number of times before, both on the field behind the leisure centre and on the big field at Mayfield Park.

"I don't think there has ever been a rise in crime or anything like that, but the litter is disgraceful.

"I walk my dog through the woods and when they have been here previously it has been an absolute mess — not only with litter and rubbish but even human faeces.

"I believe the council have placed big logs and installed barriers to try and stop the travellers getting onto the field, but it doesn't seem to have worked too well in this case.

"The other main issue is the noise at night. Where the field backs onto our homes it can be really noisy at times."

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Police also attended the field in the morning with six police vehicles and around a dozen officers patrolling the area on foot.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We are aware of an unauthorised encampment in Weston Lane, which was reported to us just after 10.40am today.

"Officers have attended to speak with the group, and we will liaise with the landowners."

Police at the scene (Image: NQ) A resident of the area for six years said: “Previously we’ve had school aged children driving cars around the field when it gets dark which is troubling as there is public access.

“There have also been instances in the past where children from the traveller group and children from some of the schools in the area get into squabbles.”

Southampton City Council has told residents to report any anti-social behaviour to police.

A spokesperson for the city council said: “Council officers have attended to assess the site and complete welfare checks on its occupants.”