Businesses locked their doors and police were flooded with calls after travellers moved onto the Stockdales Road recreation ground in Eton Wick at the weekend.

The arrival sparked growing anger and unease as reports began to circulate on social media that drivers had been threatened by children standing in the road and that cut throat razor blades had been stolen from the barber shop LA Jaks in Eton Wick Road.

The shop was closed Monday afternoon. The nearby Age Concern charity shop had also locked its doors, although manager Sylvia Barry was opening up to customers she knew.

She said she decided to lock up after toys were stolen and she became concerned by the behaviour and language of the children who had come in.

But she added: "I have to be fair and say I sold a second hand bicycle to one girl and her mother."

Later that day Eton's deputy mayor Town Councillor Ron Lewandowski personally issued each of the occupants of the 20 or so travellers' caravans with formal notice to leave on behalf of the authority.

Following complaints from the public police also attended the scene, a Section 61 notice was issued and travellers moved off at 5pm

Later Cllr Lewandowski said: "I'm proud of the village. People were restrained - everyone pulled together.

"The police and the Royal Borough were helpful too."

Police have confirmed they received a report that items were stolen from a hairdressers in Eton Wick Road, Eton Wick, at Monday at 2.40pm.

They attended and found a security box outside the premises that had been damaged with items strewn about - they are now investigating it as a case of criminal damage. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 43180240718.

Later in the week villager Pat Prior led friends in a clean-up of the recreation ground and the Royal Borough also sent a team.

Town councillor Sue Evans said that the issue of making Eton Wick's open spaces more secure would be raised at next month's meeting of Eton Town Council.