A woman has been bitten by a dog after travellers moved onto land near a primary school.

Caravans and trailers have been parked on the land, which is owned by Haringey Council, behind Severn Drive, near Forty Hill Primary School.

The school sent out an email yesterday, warning about the new neighbours, and alleging a dog belonging to one of the travellers had bitten a parent during the morning school run.

The email says: “We wish to make you aware of an incident that occurred this morning.  Travellers have moved into a site at the junction with the Dell and A10. 

“This morning a parent witnessed a dog biting a lady pushing a buggy. Please be wary when walking past this site.”

Forty Hill said the parent was advised to report the incident to the police, however the police did not have a record of the incident when contacted.

Parents say they are worried about the people now living on the empty lot, which is opposite Enfield Crematorium.

Patrick Jules, whose child has gone to Forty Hill for five years, said “nothing like this has ever happened before”.

He said: “This is the first time I’ve heard about this, it’s a bit concerning obviously for safety reasons, as well as rubbish, noise and other disturbances.”

Another parent, Katie Leach, added: “The school emailed us, I don’t think it makes a difference if the dog belongs to travellers or anyone else, it’s up to the owner to look after their dog.

“Am I worried? Yes and no. I used to be a teacher so I have taught traveller children and have never had a problem with traveller families, wherever they come from, as long as you respect their customs are different.”

A spokesperson for Haringey Council said: “We are investigating and will ensure that our tenant takes all necessary steps to remove a group of travellers from land we own close to the Great Cambridge Road.”

This is the third case of travellers moving onto land in Enfield 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.

Last week, 20 caravans arrived on an empty lot at Stonehill Business Park on the border between Chingford and Edmonton.