A community of travellers staying in an Isle of Wight car park claim they have been "unfairly trapped" inside following a row with the landowner.

Concrete bollards now surround the entrance to the car park at Bembridge Point, which Bembridge Harbour Authority (BHA) claims to own.

Van owners, who have stayed there on and off for years, have been told they cannot leave without paying.

BHA said it's a consequence of them not following rules and "mistreating" adjoining land - claims which the travellers deny.

Van owner Pippa Amos, 24, said there has "never once" been a problem with them being there, until now.

In April, BHA sent a letter asking the community to vacate half of the car park, which is designated as having village green status.

Obliging, they parked in the other half, and bollards were laid out to separate the two sides.

But, within a few days, some of the bollards had been "unlawfully" moved, Malcolm Thorpe, of BHA, said.

He claims it was "so the owners could repark their vehicles where they were originally", which Pippa disputes.

(Image: IWCP)

Malcolm said: "The occupiers continued their previous habits to totally mistreat the parish council’s toilets and the adjoining private land, as well as continued to leave their refuse and waste in public places."

Pippa told the County Press this is not true, they have only ever been respectful and the group only returned when members of the public started parking there.

She said on Monday, July 22, they were given letters stating the whole car park is being blocked off for vehicles.

Pippa argues not enough notice was given and there should have been a formal eviction notice of "at least seven days."

Malcom said advance notice was given and any suggestion otherwise is "unrealistic and incorrect".

He said the cost of the vans leaving will depend on how many vehicles at a time want to exit and when.

Pippa said: "You can't just entrap people. We can walk out but these vans are our homes, our lives."

She cited Section 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which makes it a criminal offence to immobilise, remove or restrict the movement of vehicles without lawful authority.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the issue is a civil matter.

The Isle of Wight Council said where the land is private, it does not have jurisdiction.

A spokesperson said: “The council provides advice and assistance to anyone who finds themselves homeless, or who are threatened with homelessness within 56 days.

"Advice and assistance can be requested by contacting the council on 01983 823040 or via the council’s website Housing advice and support (iow.gov.uk)."