Residents have condemned a perceived “lack of action and care” by a college after land it owns was taken over by travellers.

The group arrived at the site owned by Epping Forest College in Borders Lane, Loughton, on Thursday last week (June 11).

Despite promises to evacuate the land on Saturday (June 13) the group of 10 caravans and seven vans have remained premises, a college spokesman has claimed.

Essex Police announced yesterday that they will now be working alongside the college to remove the encampment.

Mother Nicola Winkworth, 36, of Borders Lane, said that despite several complaints to the college she is yet to hear back.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Around ten caravans and seven vans arrived on the site on Thursday.

She said: “I am truly annoyed at the college.

“The old site has been treated awfully and it is not a shock that it has become so popular with youths and travellers.

“I don’t understand why they have let it get in such a state.

“The travellers got in on Thursday after someone came to look at the building and left the gate open.

“If something was made out of the building then the travellers wouldn’t come.

“I am worried that they will leave a mess again and we will be left staring at it.

“The alarms in the buildings are still intact.

“Only recently the alarms sounded all night and because no one was at the college they were not turned off.

“I have contacted the college to air my disappointment in their lack of action and care.

“No one has got back to me.

“It is a disgrace.”

One resident, who did not want to be named from “fear of repercussions”, said: “It is just outrageous.

“The travellers are not bothering me but the mess that could be left is.

“I am so upset that the college have not sorted this out.

“That building is a magnet for trouble.

“How can they think that the issue with travellers coming and setting up on the site will disappear when they leave it in such a state themselves?”

Epping Forest College has been approached for comment.