A GROUP of 50 travellers which made camp on the Hove promenade yesterday have faced down police officers and council authorities by refusing to budge from their new seaside home.
Sussex Police said that officers are powerless to break the standoff and forcibly remove the travellers, even though the strip of land on which their caravans are parked is reportedly protected and encampment is banned.
>> SEE ALSO: Dozens of camper vans pitch up on seafront
The force said: "Police and the city council have attended Hove Lawns after around 50 travellers arrived there on Saturday afternoon.
"The council has formally requested them to leave.
"As yet, they have not.
"At this time, criteria to use our police powers has not been met, but this is being constantly assessed."
Aerial photographs show the traveller site as an eyesore on the waterfront and close-up shots reveal rubbish strewn across the neatly-trimmed grass on which the vehicles were parked.
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