Police and council staff evict travellers from Brighton park

Police and council staff evicted travellers from a Brighton park yesterday (Wednesday 11 June).

They acted after a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour by people staying without permission in Wild Park in Moulsecoomb.

Today (Thursday 12 June) Brighton and Hove City Council reported unauthorised camps in three other locations – Black Rock, Preston Park and Stanmer Park.

And a separate camp at Wild Park, on the plateau, was the subject of an application for a possession order being made to Brighton County Court.

After the evictions and dispersal yesterday there was a stand-off at Saltdean Park and another in Horsdean in Patcham near the authorised travellers site.

Sussex Police said: “A large group of travellers left the unauthorised encampment at Wild Park yesterday afternoon as a result of numerous calls to Sussex Police and subsequent authorisation under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

“The large numbers involved created a risk to other city parks and open areas from further civil trespass and neighbouring policing districts were advised and local council made aware.

“Travellers were deterred from entering a site at Saltdean and moved on from Horsdean Park Recreation Ground.

“Groups eventually gained access to Black Rock, Stanmer Park and Preston Park where they currently remain.

“Sussex Police worked closely yesterday with Brighton and Hove City Council to manage a challenging issue and will continue to do so all the time that unauthorised encampments exist within the city.

“The Council Traveller Liaison Team and Sussex Police are making joint site visits today to the three new encampments.”

Inspector Paul Ransome, of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The decision to take action in relation to the large encampment at Wild Park was significant but necessary.

“This is a large public park and considerable disruption was being experienced by businesses and residents.

“There is always a risk in relation to the movement of such large numbers and steps were taken to mitigate those risks.

“Unfortunately not all vulnerable sites can be completely protected.

“Sussex Police and the Council Traveller Liaison Team work closely together to manage such encampments throughout the year and we are looking at the best ways to do this which provides community reassurance and protects the rights of all of those involved.”

The council website included updates about the four unauthorised camps. It said

• Unauthorised encampment of van dwellers on the plateau at Wild Park – We are now seeking possession of this land. We have applied to the county court for a possession order which will enable us to arrange for an eviction to be carried out as soon as practicable, should the families fail to leave the site voluntarily.
• Unauthorised encampment of Gypsies and travellers at Preston Park – We have visited this site with the police and we are currently undertaking a community impact assessment to determine the most appropriate course of action.
• Unauthorised encampment of Gypsies and travellers at Black Rock, Madeira Drive – We have visited this site with the police and we are currently undertaking a community impact assessment to determine the most appropriate course of action.
• Unauthorised encampment of Gypsies and travellers at Stanmer Park – We are due to visit this site with the police to undertake a community impact assessment to determine the most appropriate course of action.