Uttoxeter Racecourse forced to scrap Covid-19 test site as travellers pitch up

It comes as thousands of people are struggling to get tested across the UK

Travellers who set up camp at a major tourist attraction have "recklessly" led to the cancellation of a vital Covid-19 testing event, it has been claimed.

With thousands across the country struggling to get tested due to a lack of facilities, the event at Uttoxeter Racecourse was called off on Saturday morning, September 12.

The Army had arrived to run the event, but racecourse executive director David MacDonald said the travellers' presence made it impossible to go ahead.

With the police telling him they are unable to make the travellers leave, he has now called for the authorities to come up with a solution to what is becoming a "growing problem".

It comes after a group of travellers moved on from the Heath Community Centre, also in Uttoxeter, on Friday morning, leaving piles of mess behind for volunteers to clear up. It is not known if the group at the racecourse are the same group.

Now Burton and Uttoxeter MP Kate Griffiths will write to Home Secretary Priti Patel as she campaigns to give police new powers to break up illegal encampments.

Mr MacDonald said: "The gates were locked on Friday night and the travellers moved onto the site at about 9pm.

"We had Covid testing on the site on Saturday planned in and it had to be cancelled, which was very disappointing.

"We're following the advice of police and our own legal team and hopefully the travellers will be moved on soon.

"There are six caravans and assorted vehicles parked in front of the turnstiles.

"The Army came on Saturday morning to run the testing centre and there was uncertainty about what they'd be dealing with.

"We couldn't make the site secure for people who wanted to come and get tested.

"Given the current climate, I'm particularly disappointed the testing was cancelled and we've effectively been left to deal with the problem ourselves.

"The police say they're unable to move the travellers on.

"We don't race for a couple of weeks and I'm hoping they'll be gone by then, but it would be a major problem if they weren't.

"There needs to be a multi-agency approach to dealing with the issue that seems to be getting more and more frequent in Uttoxeter over the last year and I'm hoping there'll be meeting following this incidents with various agencies present.

"We've informed our MP, Kate Griffiths, of the problem.

"The town must be getting quite worried about this, as it's not only interrupting business, but it's not fair on the volunteers who have to clear it up."

Mrs Griffiths said: “I was extremely concerned to hear that Uttoxeter Racecourse has been impacted this weekend with an unauthorised travellers encampment.

"This is not only unwelcome but recklessly stopping the Covid testing site from being operational.

"I have been liaising all this weekend with Staffordshire Police to ensure the travellers are moved on as quickly as possible and the testing site is restored.

"Last year, I stood on a manifesto which committed to tackling unauthorised traveller camps and give new powers to the police to arrest and seize the property and vehicles of trespassers who set up unauthorised encampments.

"I will be writing to the Home Secretary this week to push for these new powers to be brought forward and to put a stop to these incidents from happening in the future."

An East Staffordshire Borough Council spokesperson said: "As the travellers are on private land the council is advising the landowner on the process that they should follow."

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Police are aware of the encampment and have spent considerable time at the site over the weekend and today engaging with racecourse staff and the travelling community.

"As the travellers are on private land the council and officers are supporting the landowner and advising them on the process."