Mill Marsh Park in Bovey Tracey has been cleared of vehicles and caravans following an unauthorised encampment that began on the evening of Tuesday, July 1.

The trespassers vacated the site on the morning of Friday, July 4, after Bovey Tracey Town Council instructed a specialist enforcement team.

Police, bailiffs, and enforcement officers were involved in the operation, and welfare checks were carried out as part of the process.

Once the site was vacated, a small group of volunteers—led by town clerk Mark Wells, mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke, and deputy mayor Cllr Taff Evans—undertook a thorough clean-up.

A dozen wheelie bins and the council’s pick-up truck were filled with refuse.

Open latrine pits were back-filled, and human waste was removed.

A pest control expert was called in to deal with what is believed to be discarded rodent poison.

An open campfire had scorched a hedge, but no other damage was detected.

Despite the clean-up, some dog waste and other potential hazards may remain. Residents are advised to take extra care, particularly with children and pets.

Cllr Brooke said: ‘I’m so pleased that we have our park back again and I hope people will enjoy spending time there.

‘Do be aware though that hygiene might not yet be as good as we’d like it to be, so please take extra care.

‘Clearing away the mess left by others has really made us appreciate what a fantastic place Mill Marsh Park is.

‘I hope the positive legacy of this unfortunate episode is that, as a community, we’ll all take even greater care of it in future.

‘This has been an expensive episode for the town and we will need to consider the impact on future spending plans.

‘But for now, let’s enjoy the summer and all the wonderful free space and facilities that Mill Marsh Park has to offer.

‘There aren’t many places as special as Bovey Tracey.’

The full cost of the operation—and any future security improvements—has yet to be calculated.