TRAVELLERS have peacefully left their illegal encampment just five days after storming through locked gates into disused land opposite a supermarket.

The brief stint was labelled an “absolute nightmare” by neighbours living nearby, who witnessed men defecating and urinating on the land opposite the Tesco superstore in Highams Park.

But following an eviction notice from the landowner, Fairview Homes, and a police behavioural notice, the travellers peacefully left on Wednesday night (August 24).

On Friday night (August 19), a convoy of caravans and motorhomes entered the land, which is earmarked for development, after men armed with bolt cutters opened the gates.

Neighbours suffered a sleepless weekend with children shouting and screaming into the early hours together with relentlessly barking dogs.

Since the midnight break-in, officers from the council’s neighbourhoods team visited the site regularly with the landowners to advise businesses and people living nearby.

Officers continued to visit the site with the police and the landowners to ensure the legal processes were being followed.

It was feared the encampment could last for weeks with the estate manager of the neighbouring flats, Jay Chauhan, saying “complex legal issues” would hold up any eviction.

Conservative cllr Sheree Rackham, of Highams Park ward, also said it might take up to six weeks before it could be resolved, while a trail of “devastation” is left in the travellers' wake.

Deputy council leader, cllr Clyde Loakes said: “Once they had been serviced a notice to leave the land by the owners and a behavioural notice by the police, the travellers indicated that they would shortly be leaving the land, and I am pleased to say that they have now done so peacefully.

“Although this encampment was on private land the council will always assist to protect the public and ensure that the necessary action is taken to bring about a prompt solution.”