ESSEX Police have defended their reasons for letting a traveller convoy illegally encamp on Belhus Park.
Thurrock residents are outraged that the police allowed the camp to settle with a number claiming that there social and sporting activities have had to be cancelled.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: "Police were alerted on Friday afternoon that Travellers had set up an unauthorised encampment on the football pitch at Lakeside Sports Ground. Officers went to the site and served the Travellers with a section 61 notice informing them they had to leave, which they did.
“On Friday evening officers went to Belhus Park at Aveley following reports that Travellers had gained access to a field there and were setting up an unauthorised encampment.
“On arrival officers found vehicles and caravans on the land already, with others continuing to arrive. Having assessed the number of officers immediately available to assist given other emergency incidents, the poor weather conditions, the continued movement of a large number of vehicles and the presence of children, it was decided that trying to prevent vehicles from accessing the site would have created a significant risk to the safety of everyone.
“There are no legal powers to prevent an unauthorised encampment from forming so police stayed at the location and used body worn video to record the activities of those arriving.
“Criminal investigations will take place into any damage caused or other offences reported at either location and we will look to prosecute any individuals responsible. The Travellers have been spoken to and we are continuing to monitor the location with regular patrols around the area.
“When an unauthorised Traveller encampment like this occurs there are a number of agencies which have a role to play in responding to the situation; including the landowner, the local authority and the police.
“Officers are in the process of contacting those responsible for the land, believed to be a private company which leases the land from Thurrock Council, to establish how they wish to proceed and we understand the Travellers have been given notice to leave.
“We will continue to monitor the site and speak to all parties involved until the issue is resolved.”
