A businessman’s plans to demolish a derelict factory site in Glenrothes had to be abandoned when a group of Travelling people smashed their way into the private ground before setting up an illegal encampment.
The Travellers broke through a security fence and parked their caravans at the former Pico factory at Eastfield just minutes after being evicted from another location in the town.
Now the landowner, businessman Andrew Davie, faces a massive bill in costs as legal moves to evict the Travellers go ahead.
They set up the encampment of more than 30 caravans on his land on Tuesday night, after being evicted from a site at Southfield Industrial Estate less than two miles away.
Mr Davie attempted to stop more Travellers arriving by starting work on a trench around the edge of the site. However, he had to stop when his 15-tonne JCB excavator was surrounded by around 20 Traveller children. He says he was then intimidated by a number of adult Travellers who threatened him harm.
The former factory, which was targeted by Travellers in 2010, has been vandalised on various occasions since it closed three years ago. Dangers include a 33,000 volt cable running through the site and various excavations.
Further alleged damage has been caused to the property since Travellers arrived.
Glenrothes and Central Fife MP Lindsay Roy hit out at the “sheer impotency” of the law.
He said: “Once again, the total ineffectiveness of the law to deal with travelling people has been highlighted.
“It would appear they are allowed to do what they like with total impunity. Fife Council and the police are virtually powerless to act because of the policy of non-harassment.
“Indeed, I had been alerted by Mr Davie and saw for myself that police officers who were in attendance could only stand by and watch as caravan after caravan was blatantly driven past them and on to the site.
“Four years ago, I urged the Scottish Government to bring in appropriate legislation to address the issues of Travellers who set up illegal encampments but nothing effective has been done.”
He added: “Mr Davie tried to speak to the Travellers but he was threatened.
“With such a large number of them there, he was subjected to mob rule, the law of the jungle and felt seriously intimidated.
“He was ready to demolish the Pico factory on Wednesday but was forced to cancel the operation at a cost of £10,000.
“He faces a legal bill of over £3,000 and goodness knows how much to clean up the site once these people have eventually been evicted.”
Mr Roy said a permanent solution to the problems caused by Travellers was urgently needed and criticised the Scottish Government for its complacency in failing to pass appropriate legislation.
“What are they scared of, why will they not act to protect Scotland’s law-abiding people from this blight?” he said.
“In fact, it is ironic that Travellers use these illegal encampments as a base for their ‘business activities’ in the local community.”
John Mills, senior manager for the council, said: “Fife Council is experiencing the normal movement of Gypsy Travellers from other areas of Scotland into Fife for economic activity.
“They have encamped recently at John Smith Business Park, Mitchelston, Bankhead and at Randolph playing fields.
“The council has taken action in the court to remove the Gypsy Travellers from the council-owned sites this week.
“In the case of the site at Bankhead, the council does not own the site and therefore, in Scots Law, cannot take legal action to remove the Travellers from the area.
“We have provided advice and assistance to the private landowner and advised that he will need to take the legal action.
“We will continue to work with Travellers in the next few months to ensure unauthorised encampments are managed well and in line with the Fife cooperation policy.”
Chief Inspector Nicola Shepherd said: “We will always investigate any reports of criminal activity and anyone wishing to report an offence relating to a Traveller encampment can call 101 or speak with their local policing team.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are aware that unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller encampments are a sensitive issue.
“The rights of the Gypsy/Traveller population to follow their traditional way of life must, of course, be exercised responsibly and balanced against the rights of others in the community.”