POLICE oversaw an eviction of travellers from the old Shell site in Ardrossan.

The Herald understands that the travellers had gained access to the gated site by breaking a padlock.

They had then locked the gate with their own padlock. North Ayrshire Council, which jointly owns the site with Peel Land and Property, served an eviction notice to the travellers last Wednesday (June 14).

The camp was still there two days later and so, on Friday, June 16, a sheriff officer arrived with a recovery team to move the travellers on.

Five police officers were also in attendance as a precaution. A member of the recovery team told the Herald that he smashed the travellers’ padlock with a sledgehammer to gain access to the site. The travellers left the site of their own accord without any force, although a small child was warned by police after throwing rocks at people.

The Herald asked the travellers if they wished to comment but they refused.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We take our responsibilities regarding gypsy travellers seriously.

“Our policy seeks to strike a balance between the needs and legitimate expectations of members of the settled community and the gypsy travellers.

“The encampment at North Crescent Road was reported to our Gypsy Traveller Encampment Officer on Monday, June 12, and an assessment of the encampment was undertaken that day.

“An eviction decree was granted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Wednesday, June 14, and was served later that day.”

The council spokesperson added that following the eviction, arrangements would be put in place to secure the site.