AN encampment of travellers was moved on from a public park after reports of anti-social behaviour.

On Friday evening eight caravans and ten other vehicles were driven on to St Helen’s Park in Hangleton and about 20 more caravans arrived at the weekend.

Conservative ward councillor Tony Janio said the encampment, south of St Helen’s Church and believed to be on an ancient burial ground, was the “most unsuitable site for a camp in the city”.

Council officers and police attended the site last night and the travellers were evicted. Later around 15 caravans appeared on Surrenden Park.

The council’s executive director for environment, Geoff Raw, said: “It has been a difficult weekend for a number of residents in the vicinity of Hangleton Green arising from a traveller incursion.

“Over the weekend police officers responded to a number of reported incidents of antisocial behaviour.”

He said “very robust systems” to manage unlawful encampments and contact senior council staff “may not have been followed in this instance”.

He said: “The situation is difficult for all concerned as there are fewer stopping places for traveller communities, a factor which is creating tensions in communities across east and west Sussex.”

The Preston Park and Fiveways Local Action Team is holding a meeting about travellers in St Matthias Church Hall, off Ditchling Road, Brighton, this Thursday from 6.30pm.

Rachel Chasseaud, the council’s head of tenancy services and housing, will explain how the council works with the police to manage unauthorised encampments.