Unauthorised traveller camps have appeared across Birmingham every few days throughout June, with country parks and green spaces seeing repeated arrivals that have forced the cancellation of park runs and midsummer events. Birmingham City Council recently confirmed it had abandoned a pilot scheme intended to prevent such encampments, after failing to find enough suitable sites despite months of searching.
Rise in Unauthorised Encampments
Council data shows a dramatic increase in unauthorised encampments last year. In 2025/26, officers dealt with 132 encampments comprising 2,280 caravans — a 43% rise in encampments and a 75% increase in caravan numbers compared to the previous year's 92 encampments and 1,308 caravans.
Kings Norton
Travellers were pictured at Kings Norton Playing Fields, off Pershore Road South, on Thursday, June 19. Locals reported that barriers had been broken by the group to gain access.
Sutton Coldfield
A public Midsummer's Eve event was cancelled after an unauthorised encampment set up on King George's Playing Fields on Sutton Oak Road on Tuesday, June 16. Concerned residents told Birmingham Live that locks had allegedly been broken to access the land.
Bartley Green
A popular Birmingham park run was cancelled when travellers moved onto Woodgate Valley Country Park over the weekend of 13-14 June. Residents again alleged a gate lock had been broken to gain entry.
Kingstanding
A large convoy of travellers moved onto green fields between College Road and Twickenham Road around June 12. Horses were seen grazing and wandering on the land, which is next to a football club and a McDonald's restaurant.
Bartley Green (Second Encampment)
Residents said they were 'living in fear' after approximately 70 caravans, motorhomes, and vehicles arrived on parkland off Barnes Hill from Sunday, June 7. Described as the 'biggest ever' unauthorised encampment in the city, the size of the camp was shown in an aerial view.
Highter's Heath
Travellers moved onto Daisy Farm Park in Highter's Heath on Monday, June 8. Locals reported 'living in fear' following previous incidents of stone-throwing and alleged thefts.
Earlier Encampments in May
Illegal encampments were also set up in May, including at Muntz Park in Selly Oak, Shard End Country Park, and a large convoy in West Heath.
Council Response
The council has reopened the Proctor Street transit site to provide managed accommodation for travellers. After scrapping the pilot scheme, a new West Midlands-wide consultation about provision of space for travellers is expected to start later this year. The council previously stated: 'Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it. The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community – which is in line with Government policy.' Details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on the council's website.
