POLICE sat by and watched as a group of travellers pitched up on their doorsteps, according to a family.

Residents surrounding Hangleton Green were furious when 19 vehicles swarmed the park.

Sussex Police said they attended the scene on Wednesday evening but the travellers did not indicate how long they planned to stay.

However, they returned yesterday to discover the 19 caravans.

Meanwhile, works to create permanent pitches at the transit site at Horsdean, Patcham, were due to start this month which would mean it would have to close for a year.

However, The Argus understands work has been delayed which is why the group at Hangleton Green were told they would be moved there by Friday.

Brighton and Hove City Council have made 11 pitches available to them at the site.

One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were with their father when they spotted the police officers sitting in their car while the travellers were setting up.

They said: “On Wednesday night, as me and my dad were returning home, we saw the travellers setting up and the police just sitting there in their police car not doing a thing to stop them.

“I'm so angry with the police – they should know that the green there is an ancient burial ground.

“I think it's disgusting for all the residents of Hangleton, having to put up with this.”

Tory Councillor for Hangleton and Knoll Dawn Barnett said she is so furious with the ongoing saga that when she passes away she is going to get her ashes spread on the site so she can “keep an eye” on the issue.

She said: “It’s not acceptable, it’s meant to be a conservation green and it’s special to a lot of people up there.

“I know for a fact a lot of people have been buried under there and under the flowers.

“I’m going to get my ashes spread there when I die so that I can keep an eye on what’s going on.

“They’re entitled to their human rights, but what about the rights of the residents in my ward?”

Inspector Paul Ransome from Sussex Police said: "Officers from the neighbourhood policing team have been in attendance at the park for most of the day to address residents' concerns."

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “We have visited this site with the police and the statutory checks have been carried out.

“The group has been informed they are trespassing on council-owned land and have been asked to leave.

“We will be applying to the County Court for a Possession Order, should the occupants fail to leave the site voluntarily.

“Whilst the encampment remains we will continue to monitor the site with the police.”