SIR - Travellers, it seems, have no respect for other people's property as evidenced by the latest incursion by a group onto private land at Cottingley (T&A, August 23).

They have caused the usual damage and mess, and so far cost the landowner £5,000 with further costs anticipated once they depart.

This is all, needless to say, totally unacceptable, and governments of all persuasions have been pussyfooting around on this issue for far too long.

It is quite obvious to all fair-minded people that the interlopers should have to pay ALL the costs involved rather than, as ever, emerging unscathed.

All such incursions must be made a criminal offence, and all land invasions should result in prosecutions with substantial financial penalties invoked. Nothing less will do.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon