Residents and councillors are calling for the immediate removal of a large group of travellers who have set up a camp in Worthing.

More than 30 caravans and lorries have moved onto the former BT depot in Northbrook Road and the owner has been told it will take at least a week to move them on. People living nearby claim crime has already increased and believe the situation will get worse over the next few days.

Developer Llewellyn, the site's owner, is taking steps to move the travellers on as soon as possible, but the legal process is expected to take several days. Eric Mardell, borough councillor for the area, said: "The sooner these vagrants and vagabonds vanish from our area, the better. My message to the travellers is: 'Leave, and never darken our doorstep ever again'."

The first of the travellers arrived on Saturday and broke into the site. Over the past four days more have been arriving and there are now more than 30 vehicles camped in Northbrook Road.

Michael Edwards, who lives close to the site in Broadwater, said: "I hope every effort is made to move these people on as soon as possible. I have already heard from one woman whose husband has had all the petrol siphoned out of his van and sh

e is worried that it is going to happen again.

Coun Eric Mardell has been inundated with complaint calls and has been in contact with both Sussex Police and Llewellyn. A Sussex Police spokesman said officers would only act if specific reports of criminal activity or any potential breach of the peace were reported.

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