Gipsies are continuing to cause a major headache to businesses and residents in Bradford.

Up to 14 caravans belonging to the travellers have camped at the former Transperience site in Low Moor, now owned by commercial developers Ogden Property Ltd since Tuesday.

A court order has been served on the occupiers and they have to leave the site by next week.

According to residents the gipsies are believed to be the same ones who recently occupied premises on the nearby Euroway Trading Estate.

The travellers moved off last week after they were handed an eviction notice by the owners of the site, Wilson Bowden Northern Ltd, of Leeds.

A spokesman for Ogden, Tim Garnett, said the company was now counting the cost of damage and removal of the travellers.

"It is a major inconvenience and by the time you have applied to court, received an eviction notice and paid for bailiffs to serve the notice it can cost up to £5,000.

"Then you have to clear up the mess they leave behind, which includes damage to the building," he said.

Mr Ogden said it was a nationwide problem but he said security measures would be increased on the site.

"It is difficult, as past experience has taught us that if you put steel bars around your premises they cut through the bars. And if you try to border it with timber they just take it."

He added that he would "absolutely support" any change in the law that would help companies affected by gipsy camps.

Last month Bradford Chamber of Commerce called for such a change, after three separate camps invaded businesses across the city.

The gipsies are also causing a headache to nearby residents who say they are using parks and open spaces as public toilets.

Oakenshaw resident Maureen Middleton said she was "boiling" over the episode.

"They have just left a mess and there should be a law against gipsies settling here, but no one can do anything about it," she said.

"It is just disgusting they are using nearby parks as an open toilet and make such a mess. It is a health hazard and something must be done about it."

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