A mother whose car was allegedly struck by travellers on a horse and cart while her children were in the back seat has claimed the group were rampaging the streets ‘like a gang of bullies’.
Stephanie Reed, 40, lives in Guilford, Surrey, with her husband and two sons, and has warned that the influx of ‘scary and aggressive’ travellers could see locals flee the area in fear.
Mrs Reed was reportedly driving through Esher High Street at 1.35pm on Saturday, April 12, when she saw ‘hundreds of men and boys’ stampede round the corner on the vehicles known as ‘traps’.
The street, which she says was congested, had been moving slowly when the travellers allegedly began making their way at pace with ‘no regard for the queued up traffic’.
And before Mrs Reed could do anything to stop it, she claims one of the men on horse and cart smashed into the side of her vehicle – leaving her two boys, aged just five and seven, terrified in the back seats.
She told MailOnline: ‘After it happened, I beeped the horn and one of them started laughing, swearing at us and then flipped us off.
‘Obviously the kids were in the back seats and thankfully there was no bad damage to them or our car, but the real damage being done is the fear it’s creating.
‘They’re like a massive crowd of bullies in the area and they’re just being allowed to get away with it.’
Stephanie Reed has warned that the influx of ‘scary and aggressive’ travellers could see locals flee the area in fear (Pictured: Travellers running roughshod through nearby areas on Saturday)
Mrs Reed was reportedly driving through Esher High Street at 1.35pm on Saturday, April 12, when she saw ‘hundreds of men and boys’ stampede round the corner on the vehicles known as ‘traps’ (Pictured: Travellers on Saturday approaching the High Street)
Horses were on Saturday seen left on the pavements and roads as travellers visited village and town pubs in Surrey
The mother-of-two said she immediately pulled over and reported the incident to Surrey Police, who told her they had received many similar reports on the day.
But Mrs Reed has called on stricter punishments for the offenders, who she says are regularly running red lights and ‘intimidating’ road users.
She said: ‘They go around like a big intimidating gang of men who can just do whatever they want. It’s scaring your everyday person who abides by the law.
‘If I did what they’re doing, I’d probably get a letter from the police. I’d get fined, I’d get points on my license, and I potentially could have to go to court.
‘I can’t get my head around it. And this is nothing to do with them being from the traveller community. It’s about the intimidating, aggressive and scary behaviour.’
While the issue with travellers in Surrey has allegedly intensified in recent weeks, Mrs Reed has history with the community who she claims previously spat at her children while they were trying to play at a park.
She said: ‘My husband and my dad had taken our two boys to the local playground without realising that the travellers had taken over.
‘But two young traveller kids just came up to my two very young little boys, who were three and five at the time, and very much playing innocently, and said to them “get away from our f***ing park” and started spitting.
Mrs Reed has called on stricter punishments for the offenders, who she says are regularly running red lights and ‘intimidating’ road users
‘These were young kids as well. And that’s the sad thing, they’re intimidating everybody. All the local mums and dads avoid that park now.’
Many other residents in the affluent area of Elmbridge – popular with millionaire footballers – were left shocked after travellers reportedly wreaked havoc.
One pensioner even says he was attacked by a group of the visitors.
Toby Dawson, 73, who has lived in the area for around two decades, claimed: ‘They beat me up, cracked two of my ribs and left bruises on my leg.
‘I was walking up to see my wife when I asked them to move so that I could get past. I was holding a gardening fork, so I think they felt threatened and they attacked me.
‘A pair of them came up behind me and grabbed me. They beat the hell out of me. I am a disabled pensioner, and they were in their 30s.
‘The neighbours saw me and called the police, so the two yobs ran off. They nearly killed me.
‘They were horrible. They parked all along my road and left horse poo everywhere. There were hundreds of them.
Toby Dawson (above) has lived in the area for around two decades and claims he was attacked by a group of the visitors
He said: ‘They beat me up, cracked two of my ribs and left bruises on my leg’
‘This area is normally safe and lovely. But the travellers have invaded a few times now and they always cause a lot of damage. Everyone was terrified.’
The resident says that he is still covered in marks and bruises and is very shaken from the incident but that claims he doesn’t require medical attention.
Chief Superintendent Aimee Ramm said the behaviour of the travellers was being ‘thoroughly investigated as a matter of urgency’.
She told MailOnline: ‘Firstly, as the Divisional Commander for North Surrey, I would like to acknowledge the disruption and concern that the gathering of people using horses and traps on Saturday, April 12, caused to the local community.
‘We were first made aware of around 50 people using horse and traps at a location in Esher at around 1.30pm.
‘The group then moved on to other locations including Hampton Court, Bushy Park, Molesey, Hersham, Sunbury-on-Thames and Walton, and grew to around 150 people.
The travellers were said to have also stopped in Hersham, Surrey (above)
Some travellers also reportedly visited La Tarrazzo Tapas Bar and Restaraunt in Hersham, Surrey (above)
‘In response, numerous officers were swiftly deployed to the scene and several roads were closed to restrict the movement of the group.
‘A dispersal order was also put in place for the entire borough of Elmbridge from 3.55pm on Saturday 12 April until 3.55pm on Sunday 13 April. Neighbourhood officers also conducted extra reassurance patrols over the weekend.
‘Due to the large numbers involved, officers prioritised dealing with the immediate disorder, but I would like to stress that our enquiries into related reports of criminal behaviour are being thoroughly investigated as a matter of urgency.
‘If you witnessed these incidents, have any CCTV, video doorbell, dashcam footage, or have any relevant information, please contact us quoting PR/ SYP-20250412-0412.’
