Plymouth Un-Sound

viatorem
viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
edited August 9 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

A friend of mine was staying at Plymouth Sound in the last couple of days. There we 28 outfits on site enjoying their holidays, he told me that the site was invaded by 5 unruly caravan outfits after they smashed through the barrier. They kept many awake all night by driving around the site breaking power supply bollards and removing water pumps from caravans. I understand that after 4hrs the the Police were in attendance but ineffective. By the morning there was no power on site. My friend stayed up all night guarding his property, his wife and young children were very upset. They left early morning to try and restart their holiday at another location. This is twice in the last couple of years that I have had direct knowledge of these events occurring. Is this a rising trend on club sites and CLs? I wonder what the clubs view is?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 9 #2

    All I can say is that Devon & Cornwall Police have been stretched this week as have their counterparts in many other cities.

    I don’t think there can be any question of what the Club's view is.

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 9 #3

    I wonder if some sites get regularly targeted and what could be done security wise? The plastic pole barriers are more or less a visual deterrent. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 9 #4

    I’ve no idea if some sites are regularly targeted but the Plymouth Sound Site is not in a dodgy area.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,585 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 9 #5

    There was anti social thuggery going on in Plymouth a couple of days ago so the Police had their hands full.

    Feel for the members and staff staying on site.

    It has happened at Blackpool site a few years ago.

    Not sure what extra steps the club can take.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 9 #6

    It was the riots I was referring to and the Police resources were stretched.

  • Haxey
    Haxey Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited August 9 #7

    We have been on this site since the 1st August. We love this site.  However having been intimidated by the aforementioned travellers driving around the site at night and stopping outside our caravan with headlights shining at us. Our power was pulled out. We were going to sit it out but it was too stressful and so we moved to another site today. I really felt sorry for the wardens who they had threatened that they would kill them and their dogs.

    I wished that I could have taken them with us. They were lovely and clearly frightened. 

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 10 #8

    That sounds horrible, I know  that my friend left because of the intimidation and he's no pushover. As I mentioned another friend had a similar incident when they were staying alone on a CL last year which they found very frightening.  I hope that you have found a peaceful place to continue your holiday.

     

     

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 10 #9

    We were staying at Hurn Lane club site during July and for 4-5 days there was a security guy at the main front gate it must have been a security company because they took it in shift to guard the gate and opened it to each person coming in they were there all day and all night as the club had heard there were travellers in the area and apparently they had caused havoc on Hurn Lane a couple of years ago. I though this was a good idea although no doubt cost the club a bit of money to hire the guards for a few days. Near the end of our stay the place was back to normal as the travellers had moved from the area 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,027 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 10 #10

    Sadly, it’s not an uncommon occurrence, and has been happening at various sites down the years. Not just Club ones either. It’s awful for the visitors, the site staff, and can indeed be very intimidating. We got caught up in a traveller incursion a very long time ago at Exeter Racecourse. It was handled as well as could be by the staff, but the police response wasn’t good. I have never seen so many visitors pack up and move on as I have that day. 

  • Haxey
    Haxey Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited August 11 #11

    Yes thank you we moved to Looe. I don't think we've taken down and put up our awning in one day before. I can't stop wondering how they have got on on the site. Hope they're ok.

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 12 #12

    I've heard that all members and wardens have left the site.

    A seasonal pitch van allegedly rolled over. No police action taken so far.

    Best check if you are booked to go there.

     

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 13 #13

    I see that Hillhead has been resolved is this the same at Plymouth Sound?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 13 #14

    I have reported your post in the hope it may bring forth an official response, V.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,382 ✭
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    edited August 13 #15

    According to reports they were stopped from entering Ramslade, so it is not a problem there.

    peedee

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
    500 Comments
    edited August 13 #16

    Rowena has given the all clear on the Hillhead site 

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 13 #17

    Looks like Plymouth Sound is bookable online from the 16th, presumably closed at present as only 28 outfits were there when the trouble started.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 13 #18

    The only time I've across anything like this was in France. It is fair to say the French police have a different way of dealing with such events.

    Two caravans from the travelling community 4 miles away appeared on site one lunchtime when the boss was out. The young lady receptionist was so intimidated by them they managed to get onto site, paying for one night. They proceeded to take over the washing machines non stop for  that 24 hours and create maymem across the site. After the 24 hrs had passed the police stepped in, having done a search on the vehicles and a message was relayed around the site not to attempt to leave for the next 1/2 hr. The offending camper got wind of this and attempted a quick get away. Unfortunately the one access road was blocked and you do not argue with a group of French police officers with guns.

    Problem solved. 

     

    Colin

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