This summer, Birmingham has experienced a surge in illegal traveller camps, leading to event cancellations and residents reporting they are 'living in fear'. BirminghamLive has documented multiple incursions across parks and green spaces, with caravans arriving every few days in different areas of the city. The situation comes as Birmingham City Council has scrapped its 'negotiated stopping' pilot scheme, which aimed to tackle unauthorised encampments by allowing the travelling community to use unused council land for short-term stays. However, insufficient 'suitable sites' were found, leading to the programme's abandonment.
Last year, council officers dealt with 132 unauthorised encampments comprising 2,280 caravans in 2025/26. These figures represent a 43 per cent increase in encampments and a 75 per cent increase in caravans compared to the previous year's 92 encampments and 1,308 caravans.
Sutton Coldfield
A public Midsummer's Eve event had to be cancelled after travellers set up camp on King George's Playing Fields on Sutton Oak Road. The group of caravans and vehicles arrived on Tuesday, June 16, with residents reporting that numbers were increasing and alleging that locks had been broken to access the land. The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, was postponed by organisers who said they had 'no option' after visitors expressed fears about attending.
Kings Norton
Caravans and vehicles arrived at Kings Norton Playing Fields off Pershore Road South on Thursday, June 19. Travellers were said to have broken barriers put up by the council, and locals reported more vehicles arriving throughout Friday. Reform UK Birmingham Selly Oak apologised for the incursion and stated they were in talks with the council, aiming for removal by Monday, June 22. They confirmed that elected councillors had already taken legal action against the encampment.
Bartley Green
A popular park run was cancelled in June when a convoy of caravans moved onto Woodgate Valley Country Park over the weekend of 13/14 June. Residents alleged a gate lock had been broken to gain access. The incursion was reported to the council, and the group was ordered to leave by Friday, June 19.
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. The convoy parked close to the back gardens of homes off Twickenham Road and pathways.
Bartley Green (Second Incursion)
An extraordinary aerial view showed around 70 caravans, motorhomes, and vehicles on parkland off Barnes Hill in Bartley Green. Residents described it as the 'biggest ever' and said they were 'living in fear'. Witnesses reported that new arrivals started moving onto the site, yards from an Asda superstore, from Sunday, June 7, with the majority arriving 'once it got dark' on Tuesday, June 9. The full camp size was visible from above, with caravans dotted all over the playing field.
Highter's Heath
Travellers moved onto Daisy Farm Park on Monday, June 8. Locals said they were 'living in fear' following previous incidents of stone-throwing and alleged thefts.
Selly Oak
Travellers set up an illegal encampment at Muntz Park in late May. A number of caravans, motorhomes, and vehicles were seen parked on the grass on Tuesday, May 26.
Shard End
An assortment of caravans and vehicles with business logos pulled up at Shard End Country Park around the weekend of May 16. It was the second time in weeks that the area had seen an illegal encampment. Councillor Alan Feeney said he visited the site and found the metal gates open.
West Heath
A large convoy of travellers set up camp in Parkdale Park off Longbridge Lane in early May. More than 18 caravans, motorhomes, and vehicles were seen surrounding a basketball court yards from Albert Bradbeer Primary School. Locals again reported 'living in fear' due to previous stone-throwing and alleged thefts.
Council Response
The Proctor Street transit site has been reopened to provide managed accommodation for travellers. A West Midlands-wide consultation on future provision is expected in late 2026. The council has stated there are alternative sites for travellers in the city. In a statement, it said: '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 our website.'
