SO, to the concern and frustration of the residents of Brighton and Hove the merry go round with the travellers continues.

This time a large group chose Rottingdean Recreation Ground for their next holiday home.

In particular I’m frustrated by the council’s inaction.

This is the second time we have had this trespass.

The travellers arrived late afternoon on Thursday, June 18.

Later that day there were about 10 caravans and at least five police.

From that point absolutely nothing was done to prevent further ingress so at least another 10 vans arrived the next day.

Inaction such as this increases the ultimate cost to oversee the site and clear it up once they leave.

Moreover, it significantly increases the nuisance caused by such occupations.

I know the council claims that the security gate can’t be re-secured when they are on site, but has anyone ever considered the extra costs involved with the larger group as opposed to securing the site with manpower to open the gate to just let travellers’ vehicles out and emergency vehicles in?

Not only may this be less expensive but I suspect that the travellers would not stay long if they knew they could not re-enter the site.

The council should also be more proactive by taking out pre-emptive prevention orders for all of the public spaces.

They should also instruct the police to immediately issue unauthorised encampment notices as soon as any occupation is known about.

I understand that the police often follow the travellers when they move, so these notices could be enforced very quickly.

I know that in some other local government areas such action is applied successfully.

I suspect that if the councils asked the residents, they may well find that most would prefer more action.

However, it feels to us that the council and their employees care more about the travellers than the residents.

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