letter sent to the Echo by a concerned resident.

This is an extract from a letter copied to me from a concerned resident, it is self explanitory.
Once again we have travellers/gypsies “semi-settling” at Mudeford Quay. They would probably say that they are here on holiday but unlike other visitors the never seem to pay the parking fees.
I know that EVENTUALLY they will be evicted after being issued with court orders etc. but is it really fair that we, as residents are advised not to visit the quay area, especially the playground, because of the bullying tactics of the “gypsy” children.
I say this because during this past week I took my two grandsons, aged 5 and 3 down to the play area at Mudeford Quay, early one evening.
As I approached, I realised that there were several children already on the swings and immediately guessed where they had come from as there were NO adults present.
What I did not expect, nor did my 3 year-old grandson, was, that on arrival, to be confronted by a smaller and younger child who immediately whacked my grandson around the head, several times.
I gently, but firmly moved the child away….telling him off at the same time…and he kicked me!
I will give one of the older children her due as, when I asked for help, she did take the boy back to the caravans.
However the remaining children then refused to allow my grandsons to play on the slide.
I then left because I felt intimidated….by children!
On reporting the problem to the council the following morning, although I was given sympathy, the advice given was to keep away from the play area until after the travellers have been evicted, and to not get into any conversation, or touch the children….for my own safety.
So I ask again, is it fair to ratepayers of Mudeford and how many more times are we going to have to put up with such unsociable characters who seem to create their own rules?
I have since driven down to the Quay and have noticed that there are electric cables going across the road. Surely this is not safe, so why are these people continually allowed to “get away with so much”?
I just hope that other genuine holiday makers who have come to stay for just a week …..and maybe have been abused and have seen the rubbish laying around, and the washing lines fixed between the trees …..are not put off returning to our lovely seaside village