A MAN was assaulted after a group of travellers broke into the former Bluebird Factory in Hunnington.

Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the site on Bromsgrove Road this morning (Tuesday September 13) after tensions flared.

A man, believed to be a contractor working for a demolition firm, was assaulted with police now investigating.

A local resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "Travellers turned up about 7pm last night and broke into the site.

"There were ten or 12 caravans.

"I live nearby and could hear them throughout the night working with angle grinders, stripping the place down.

"Demolition firm workers turned up this morning and the police were called.

"One worker was assaulted and vehicles were damaged.

"The travellers cut a hole through a fence and drove off towards Dove House Fields Farm. 

"There were around eight police cars this morning - the road was full of them.

"It's wrong. It's put a lot of residents at unease as to what was going on. "It's worrying."

One person on social media reported seeing a man with his head covered in blood.

Halesowen News: Anonymous Anonymous (Image: Anonymous)

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of an assault on Blue Bird Park, Bromsgrove Road, at 8.51am.

"One ambulance attended.

"We treated one patient, a man, who was able to be discharged at the scene."

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "Around 8.45am today police were called to a building site on Blue Bird Park on Bromsgrove Road, Hunnington, following reports of a disturbance.

"Officers attended and enquiries are ongoing."

Paul Lawler head of communications for Bellway South Midlands, which owns the site, said: "The police have attended today so we won't make a statement.

"We can confirm there was an incident on site this morning."

He said the firm has contractors working for company Armac on site as demolition has started today.

Bellway has now brought in security to monitor the site.

Toffee making stopped at the factory in 1998 and now the site is set to enter a new era, with Bellway planning to build 86 properties.

The other 22 properties will be created by another developer through the refurbishment of two listed buildings on the former factory site.