A marauding gang of travellers who invaded a Tesco car park went on a rampage, harassing shoppers, stealing food from trollies and trying to raid cars.
The large group ‘ran riot’ after setting up camp outside the superstore in the coastal town of Littlehampton, West Sussex, it has been claimed.
They arrived after being booted out of a nearby park five minutes down the road on Wednesday, with aerial pictures showing 19 caravans occupying a large space of the retail park, in Broad Piece.
Horrified locals say the travellers have caused mayhem since descending upon the area, creating a ‘very unpleasant, threatening atmosphere’.
Groups allegedly trashed a fridge in the nearby Currys, stole items from there and the neighbouring Wickes store and snatched food from trolleys.
Sickening pictures, seen by , even appear to show children defecating in the middle of the car park.
While other residents have claimed the travellers were seen leaping into ‘people’s gardens’ on a new housing estate backing off the A259.
Speaking to , one elderly man said: ‘It was as if they had organised it on purpose – to descend on the retail park in numbers to cause the maximum amount of chaos.
‘They were stealing things from Tesco and harassing shoppers for money and food and generally causing an absolute nuisance of themselves.’
His wife added: ‘Some were in people’s gardens across from the A259. I think they were intent on causing trouble.’
Another person added: ‘It was pre-planned – you could tell. They all arrived at the same time thinking they’d just run riot, steal food, beg money and hassle people. Luckily the police responded pretty quickly.’
Police arrived at the car park yesterday evening after receiving reports of criminal behaviour and ‘enacted legislation for the travellers to leave’.
Sergeant Molly O’Malley at Sussex Police said: ‘We acted as swiftly as we could and thank the public for calling in as they really are our eyes and ears.
‘We empathise with the residents, shoppers and businesses impacted by this antisocial and criminal behaviour.’
The caravans first pitched up at Tesco on Wednesday morning and remained there throughout the day.
They were seen leaving Rosemead Park, where they had been previously pitched, roughly a five-minute drive from the supermarket.
Today there was a police car with two officers at the Broad Piece Retail Park and two security staff at the Tesco entrance.
A couple shopping in Curry’s said: ‘We were here two days ago and decided to leave. There was a very unpleasant, threatening atmosphere. There were gangs roaming the place looking for trouble. I heard someone had their car vandalised when he confronted a group.’
A 40-year-old mother-of-two, who lives locally, said: ‘I’ve nothing against travellers but I don’t like any sort of criminal behaviour and that’s what they were here to cause.
‘A group of teenagers was involved in a confrontation with one group of young travellers. It was horrible but at least it didn’t last long.’
After departing the park following a dispersal order issued by police, Littlehampton Town Council, which owns the site, issued a statement on social media.
The post read: ‘Following enforcement action the unauthorised encampment at Rosemead Park has now departed.
‘Sussex Police issued a notice requiring the occupants to leave the site by 10am today (Wednesday, April 9), using their statutory powers in response to reported concerns.
‘Town council representatives have since inspected the park and confirmed that the area has been vacated.
‘The site has been checked and is now clean and open for public use.
‘We are currently collaborating with Boklok to install temporary concrete barriers within the next few days as an immediate security measure.
‘Work on more permanent preventative solutions will follow in due course.’
A spokesperson for Arun District Council told it was Tesco’s ‘responsibility to instigate the appropriate action’ as it is private land.
Yesterday, the council spokeswoman said: ‘We can confirm that travellers have moved to the car park at Tesco, Littlehampton.
‘As this is private land it will be Tesco’s responsibility to instigate the appropriate action.’
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Tesco confirmed the store remains open as usual and that the caravans are no longer on site.
has approached Currys and Wickes for comment.