A FAMILY of travellers illegally parked on Brighton seafront hooked up a hosepipe to a fire hydrant to fill a paddling pool.

Residents have slammed the family helping themselves to “free water” and East Sussex Fire and Rescue said such actions could put people at “increased risk”.

Southern Water said they have investigated the incident which happened as the city sweltered under a heatwave. Police have also been informed.

Brighton and Hove City Council said a possession order had now been obtained to move the family and other travellers on from the site by Duke’s Mound.

Obstructing or tampering with a fire hydrant is an offence and can carry a fine if convicted.

One eye-witness told The Argus: “They parked outside the Marina where if any resident parked we would not be allowed to stay while they were there for a good week.

“They have tapped into the water supply and we watched them fill, empty and refill paddling pools together with using a hose and leaving it running.

“They had lifted a metal plate so either tapped into a hydrant or a standby pipe.”

David Yates, East Sussex Fire and Rescue’s hydrant and water manager, said: “Anything which obstructs access to a fire hydrant can prevent or delay firefighters from accessing a crucial water supply, which in turn can put people or property at increased risk should such an incident occur.”

A Southern Water spokesman said: “A fire hydrant was accessed without permission. We would remind customers that this is illegal.

“We have sent an inspector to site, liaised with Brighton and Hove City Council and police are aware.”

Director Chris Whitwell of Brighton-based Friends, Families and Travellers said while access to water and sanitation is a huge issue for travelling communities, the current heatwave did not justify the illegal act.

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby said: “I have taken this matter up with the council.

“I am always happy to support residents who have concerns about unauthorised traveller encampments.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said the authority had obtained a possession order to evict the travellers and enforcement officers and police had attended the scene.

Anyone with concerns that a fire hydrant is being used illegally should contact East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service on 01323 462415 reporting as many details as possible on location, time, vehicle and registration number.

Chris Whitwell, director of Friends, Families and Travellers said: “FFT does not condone any illegal act whether carried out by a traveller or by a member of the settled community and we expect the police to deal with all such acts in a fair and appropriate way having regard to the law.

“But people should never make wider assumptions about any community based on the actions of individuals within that community and to rely on this alleged incident to promote negative views of Gypsy and Traveller communities would be entirely wrong.”