Dog walkers abused after confronting Travellers chainsawing down trees at Grassmoor Country Park

The pair, from Hasland, spotted ‘at least half a dozen’ caravans driving onto land at Grassmoor Country Park earlier this morning.

They said that some of the Travellers were using a chainsaw to cut down trees so they could move their van in place.

One of the dog walkers, who wants to stay anonymous due to safety concerns, said: “I asked them why they were cutting the tree down, because in my view it was criminal damage. I was met with a very abusive language.

“I was just with my wife and two dogs and there were about ten of them within yards of us, so we were outnumbered. We couldn't afford to get involved in any conflict. We went back to our car and called the police.”

He added that an employee of the council who was on-site at the time had ‘reported the incident to his boss and was waiting for further information’.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: “We received a call just after 10.20am today, October 7, reporting that a group of travellers had moved onto Grassmoor Country Park on Birkin Lane at Grassmoor. Officers have visited the area to speak with the group and we are continuing to monitor the situation.”

The dog walkers believe the Travellers at Grassmoor are the same group who have been camping on land off Storforth Lane, in Hasland, since last Saturday.

Chesterfield Borough Council has confirmed that camp had been ‘moved’ from the site next to Storforth Lane, but it is not known whether the Travellers seen at Grassmoor Country Park are the same group of people.

Derbyshire County Council has confirmed that the travellers have now left Grassmoor Country Park.

The Derbyshire Times has asked the council and the police for information regarding any vandalism caused to trees on the park and we are awaiting a response.