An alleged arson incident has incited turmoil between conflicting homeowners and van-dwellers residing in proximity.
Members of the so-called ‘caravan city’ community in Bristol assert they are equipping themselves with axes and baseball bats as a precautionary measure.
Frustrated homeowners attribute the fire, which obliterated a mobile home last Thursday, to a malfunctioning gas cylinder.
One van dweller reported to the MailOnline: ‘It was arson, and we’re fortunate that no one lost their life.’
‘I carry an axe and a baseball bat in my van, and I’m prepared to use them on anyone lurking around late at night,’ he added.
The suspected arson attack marks the peak of a longstanding animosity between local residents and individuals living in caravans on their streets.
(Picture: Lauren Beavis/SWNS)
The caravan-dwelling population in the city has surged dramatically in recent years, with official statistics indicating a 400% increase in the number of homeless individuals living in vehicles within the last five years.
A homeowning digital professional in his mid-30s recounted to the Mail how he faced threats from a van dweller who was convinced he had damaged her wind chime.
‘You can’t allow your children to roam the streets, even during the day anymore,’ he expressed.
‘They have made life for everyone here an absolute nightmare, and the sooner the council clears out every last one of them, the better,’ he concluded.
Residents accuse the van dwellers of engaging in drug-related activities and using their vehicles as a cover for unlawful conduct.
Alan Tonkinson, 57, from the scrap company tasked with removing the debris, remarked: ‘If I had a pound for every discarded and incinerated caravan in Bristol, I’d be affluent.’
‘However, the number of caravans appearing in various parts of Bristol is increasing constantly. It’s turning into a significant issue,’ he stated.
Caravan residents have ardently defended their presence on the streets of Bristol.
Many assert they have opted for mobile living as a means to save on rent, especially amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and they deny any engagement in illegal activities.
One van dweller named ‘LJ’ shared that he lost a £100,000 per year business due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He explained: ‘The system is designed to ensure my failure; I have no option but to live this way.’
Numerous individuals residing in vans work at music festivals during the summer, choosing to stay on the roadsides of Bristol throughout the winter months.
Bristol Council has increased pressure on the caravan community, including implementing large planters on one of the roads heavily impacted by the city’s St George’s Park.
Van dwellers assert that their ‘law-abiding’ lifestyle is being unjustly criminalized and targeted.
One remarked: ‘Everyone is out working; this isn’t about individuals living off benefits.’
‘If you’re earning minimum wage or on a zero-hour contract, this is a more viable option than living in a shared house at £1,000 per month,’ they elaborated.
The charred remains of the burnt caravan were towed away on Tuesday, leaving behind scorched debris and an escalating dispute.
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