TRAVELLERS have set up camp at Netherton Park.

Around 15 caravans pulled on to the public green space at around 7.45pm on Tuesday evening (July 17).

One onlooker said: "There were a team of about six or seven police officers at the entrance to the park via Arch Hill Street.

"A squad car was parked on the grass bank adjacent to the nursery entrance.

"I witnessed two more vehicles entering the park while the police were there. They were not being stopped from entering the site.

"There were also police cars monitoring at the entrances on Halesowen Road and Recreation Street, although the barriers there were still in place."

Councillor Laura Taylor, Dudley's cabinet member for housing, said: “We are aware of a number of caravans on Netherton Park and we are currently going through the legal process to remove them as quickly as possible.

“In the meantime, plans are progressing to develop a temporary transit site for travellers within the borough, giving us the powers to remove unauthorised traveller encampments much faster in the future."

A West Midlands Police spokesman added: "We are currently working with the local council to resolve the situation."