THE council is promising to crackdown on traveller break-ins after a series of illegal camps on sports grounds across the borough.

Waltham Forest Council announced some of the steps it is taking while confirming that a group of travellers have moved on from a field behind a supermarket.

The convoy of about 20 motorhomes and caravans left the sports field behind Low Hall Sainsbury's, in Walthamstow Avenue, in Chingford, at about 6pm on Wednesday.

More motorhomes and caravans took up residence in the supermarket's car park, with some shocked shoppers saying the saw young children going round on quadbikes.

Both groups left after police served them an eviction notice.

It came a week after another group also made light work of the gates blocking entry into the same field.

And another group of travellers in the field next to Peter May Sports Centre, in Highams Park, forced organisers of a park run to cancel their weekly event two weeks ago.

The council said it took steps to secure the site behind Sainsbury’s following the initial break-in, but the second group were “determined” to get in.

A council spokesman said: “This second group were determined and removed three padlocks and two concrete bollards blocking the gate.

“We have now replaced the locks and put a full truck-load of earthworks on both sides of the gate to try prevent further access from travellers.

“We are mirroring this at Low Hall Sports Ground and concrete bollards at all other sports grounds and large open spaces.”