FIRE engines were called to a field in Wantage after travellers who have illegally set up camp there started a small fire.

The community was spotted on the field behind The Health Centre in Mably Way on Friday (5) last week.

A dog walker was near the field the following evening when fire engines and police vehicles arrived after reports that a fire had been lit.

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Firefighters extinguished the fire and the code of conduct was given to the travellers but as it is a small camp the police do not have the powers to evict them.

No cautions or arrests were made and the police engaged with the landowner and health centre.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Officers are aware of a small unauthorised encampment on land behind The Health Centre on Mably Way, Wantage, since Friday afternoon (5).

“Officers have given the code of conduct to the travellers and engaged with the landowner and the medical centre.

“We received a report of a fire at the encampment at around 7.50pm on Saturday (6).

“Officers attended along with colleagues from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished a small fire.”

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On Wantage and Grove Community Facebook group, the dog walker who spotted the fire said: “I’m concerned about a smouldering fire where dogs may run over it in the morning and burn their paws.

“My dogs were very curious considering there were smells of food all over their camp.”

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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