A TORY councillor has warned that residents will take matters into their own hands if police and council bosses continue their perceived inaction against travellers.

Roger Buston, who represents for Prettygate, was speaking after he was cleared of making discriminatory comments about travellers by Colchester Council’s governance committee.

It was revealed “clear the air talks” will be held between Colchester Council, Essex County Council, the Essex-wide County Travellers Unit and Essex Police so councillors can question perceived police and council inaction.

Mr Buston had been accused by councillor Tina Bourne (Lab) of “inciting fear and loathing”, breaching the council’s code of conduct, after travellers pitched up on Hilly Fields, in Colchester, in May.

He had questioned how the travellers were able to afford new caravans and suggested police had done little to investigate or stop the “wanton damage”.

On Tuesday, the committee found solicitor Mr Buston had no case to answer.

During the hearing, Mr Buston cited an incident in Weeley last week when residents lied down in front of travellers’ cars to stop then accessing land.

He said: “What I wouldn’t like to see is, because of inaction by the council and police, residents starting to form their own groups.

“I wouldn’t like to see residents feeling they have no alternative, but to take the law into their own hands.

“If it does happen, the council and the police will only have themselves to blame.

“The position I have taken is solely related to the rule of law. When folks can make a good living by taking advantage of other people, it is unacceptable and people are rather upset about it.

“I find it very disappointing the council’s efforts are being put into this sort of exercise rather than dealing with the problem.”

Ms Bourne told the hearing she had sympathy with residents’ concerns over travellers occupy land and said the way of life would seem strange to people who “do not share these characteristics or lifestyles”.

Essex Police say travellers’ occupation of privately-owned land is a civil matter but crimes should be reported.