I’m sick of travellers invading my land – I’ve installed anti-tank defences & hired a security guard to keep them out
A CARBOOT salesman has armed himself with anti-tank defences, chain locks and even hired security just to keep travellers off his land.
Mark Greenfield spotted 30 vehicles - most of which caravans - descend on a recreation ground near his fields.
Fearing his patch was getting eyed up next, he took matters into his own hands and rolled out the military-grade measures.
Mark, from Gillingham, in Kent, said: "I am trying to stop them getting on the field.
"I do not want them on here. I have had to go to extremes and I would go to more if I had to."
His actions follow a disastrous incident back in July which saw 20 caravans invade Mark's field.
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They broke in through his gates and were pitched up for three days.
The travellers were issued a section 61 leading to their dispersal.
The order gives police the power to tell an encampment to leave once certain conditions are met.
But despite staying in place for three months the order is only issued to those present at the time and does not cover other groups that may turn up.
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The businessman was worried the community might derail his popular car boot fair because the order would not apply to them.
But no-nonsense Mark vowed to never allow his business to be compromised again.
He has now plonked anti-tank defences from the army, each weighing about a ton, in front of his two gates.
And he hasn't stopped there.
He's clamped two heavy duty chain locks and even parked two cars behind the gate to act as an extra barrier.
Incredibly, Mark has now hired security in the form of a night watchman, who has been living in a tent at the car boot sale site since Tuesday.
Straight talking Mark adds his business is his priority and he doesn't want travellers taking that away from him.
Therefore going a long way with the defences was the only option.
He added: "It is costing me money to get them out. I am out here everyday.
"I cannot relax really.
"It is stressful, I have a double weekend this weekend which would not go ahead if they get on here."
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Though he's excited for a busy weekend at the boot fair on Sunday and Monday, he is not letting down his defences.
Ian Gilmore, Medway Council's head of regulatory services, said: "We are following a civil legal process to move the group on."
