Police at Newbury Rugby Club after caravans appear on-site

Cars and ten caravans have been spotted on the pitch at Newbury Rugby Club.

A member of the club found the gate broken into and the vehicles on-site at around 8am this morning (Friday).

Police were seen at the site this afternoon.

The grass pitch is said to have been damaged by vehicle activity.

A spokesperson for Newbury Rugby Club said: “We are not engaging at the moment as we have been advised not to.

“There are 4x4 cars driving on the pitch and doing donuts.

“The pitch maintenance had cost us tens of thousands.

“We have a padlocked security gate that has been damaged.

“It was broken into, the gate was not open.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of an unauthorised encampment at Newbury Rugby Club on Monks Lane, Newbury, at around 9.45pm on Thursday (July 13).

“Nine caravans and associated vehicles were on the land, which had reportedly been accessed by forcing entry through the gate.

“Officers worked with the landowner to serve a notice under Section 60C of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994 for them to leave by 7.30pm on Friday (July 14), which they did.”