Fury in pretty UK town as locals fume it's been 'taken over by naked hippies in caravans'

Glastonbury transforms into a world-famous music festival, drawing crowds and the biggest bands from across the globe, for a few glorious days.

But for the rest of the year, the small town has been thrust into turmoil, as 'hippy thugs' descend upon the area, causing distress and disruption say local residents.

Locals have expressed their frustration at the growing number of caravans and makeshift camps that have sprung up around the town.

These itinerants, described by locals as "unwashed" and "antisocial," have been accused of defecating in public, littering, and engaging in lewd behavior such as rolling around naked in fields.

The situation has escalated to the point where residents feel abandoned by authorities and are now calling on the police to take action.

"We're at our wit's end," said Richard Hill, 47, who lives with his terminally ill wife, Sarah.

"It was beautiful here until this mob of hippy thugs arrived. Now we have to watch them defecate in fields right in front of our home and leave trash everywhere. It's not just an eyesore—it's a health hazard,” he told MailOnline.

One prominent location is the Zig Zag building, a historic property that has been illegally occupied.

The building, once a factory, has been turned into a makeshift home, with three floors filled with second-hand furniture, sofas, and even a disco ball.

Residents like Sue Hazlewood, 70, are concerned about the impact on the community.

"They just leave their caravans here when they move on," she said.

"It's a burden on the council to clean up, and we're the ones paying for it."

The local council has taken steps to address the situation.

Somerset Council has issued enforcement notices to the owner of the Zig Zag building, Chris Black, demanding he return the site to its original state.

Black, who purchased the building in 2013 and claims to have saved it from demolition, has turned it into what he describes as a 'cultural center' and refuses to evict the current occupants.

Instead, he insists the community he has fostered within the Zig Zag building is misunderstood.

"We provide a place of refuge for people with few options. It's a tight-knit community, and we've made efforts to be responsible," he stated.

He also denied claims of antisocial behavior, arguing that noise complaints are overblown and that the facility includes amenities like a charity shop and a textile center.

Despite Black’s assertions, many Glastonbury residents remain unconvinced.

Michael Dodson, 56, said: "To talk about Glastonbury as a place of refuge and compassion is to ignore the awful experiences of people who have to live near these loose-knit shantytowns."

The dispute has also had a broader impact on the town, affecting local schools and the housing market.

Retired carpenter Les Webb, 76, said: “They come here looking for some sort of idyllic life and end up living in the grounds of a derelict building. It's not what Glastonbury is about."

Local authorities have pledged to continue addressing the issues.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council stated that they are working on several initiatives, including developing Traveller sites and enforcing parking restrictions around popular areas to prevent overnight encampments.

Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police said: “We work closely with Somerset Council, landowners and communities to tackle anti-social behaviour in Glastonbury. We urge people to report any incidents either to the council or the police.”