ONLOOKERS have said they were filled with “disbelief” when they saw travellers try to occupy George Green in Wanstead yesterday.

Residents quickly became concerned at around midday yesterday (June 22) when they saw a total of 11 caravans, cars and vans park up on the green next to Wanstead Station.

People living in the houses around George Green called the police, who quickly alerted land managers the City of London Corporation (CoLC).

Wanstead Councillor Sheila Bain was out walking her dog when she saw the travellers try to take over the green.

She said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, I was so shocked they had just parked right there.

“I was in complete disbelief – I have lived in the area for more than 28 years and I have never seen anything like it.

“I wouldn’t want anything like that happening again.”

After several complaints from passers-by, Cllr Bain spoke to Redbridge Council’s emergency planning officers, who worked quickly with officers from Met Police, Redbridge’s Community Police Team, and CoLC to remove the travellers from the site.

She added: “It was all systems go. I think residents should be very happy with the speed at which it was all dealt with – they were all gone within a couple of hours.

“People were extremely concerned. It may just have been a coincidence but soon after they arrived one resident told me someone came knocking on his door asking if he wanted him to power wash his drive.”

Superintendent of Epping Forest, Paul Thomson said: “I am pleased to report with the support of four Met Police officers and Cllr Bain the 11 traveller vehicles have been persuaded to leave George Green in the direction of Barking and Dagenham.”

Cllr Bain added that after being rejected from George Green, the group tried to settle in Bushwood near Leytonstone.

The area of Wanstead Flats is also owned by the City of London, who quickly sent the travellers on their way later in the day after the fiasco in Wanstead.