An Enfield academy and its neighbours have become the latest to suffer the borough’s traveller problem.

Around 20 caravans have moved onto land belonging to Ark John Keats Academy in Bell Lane, Enfield.

Jerry Collins, the head teacher, said their legal team is working on the issue but declined to comment further.

People living near the school said their unexpected new neighbours moved in on Wednesday (October 5) and have caused problems all week.

Paula Williams, of neighbouring Albany Park Avenue, said: “Since their arrival they have been fly tipping building waste and other junk non-stop. You need to witness this to believe it. I am very concerned as the police appear to be powerless to do anything about it.

“They build big fires every night and I'm concerned that this will get out of hand.”

Another neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, added: “They are using it as a tipping ground, we have contacted the council, the police and the school but none of them can do anything. It is very frustrating.”

Other areas of Enfield have also had problems with unwanted visitors in recent weeks.

In August, travellers broke through locked gates to set up camp in an abandoned supermarket owned by Lidl in Hertford Road, Freezywater.

Around 20 caravans also arrived on an empty lot at Stonehill Business Park on the border between Chingford and Edmonton.

Last month, six more mobile homes found a new location - the former site of Barnet and Southgate College, on land owned by Enfield Council.