A LARGE group of caravans has made camp overnight in a public park.

Residents have reported seeing the vehicles arriving in Preston Park on Friday night.

Police have been at the scene overnight, and officers have been seen speaking with the vehicle owners.

One passer by said: "There is a police ar at the top of the park, and a police van parked at the bottom, but I don't think there is too much of a rush.

"I think there are about 15 or 20 caravans parked here."

The Argus:

Earlier this year The Argus reported on the concerns of campaign group Friends, Families and Travellers.

The group criticised Brighton and Hove City Council along with authorities in East and West Sussex over a "chronic shortage" of sites in the county.

“It beggars belief that the Home Office are calling for more powers to tell Travellers where they can’t go while local authorities are largely failing to identify any space where Travellers can go,” policy manager Abbie Kirkby said.

Brighton and Hove City Council does not plan to provide more Traveller sites despite a 50-caravan encampment occupying Hove Lawns last year.

The city council only has one site for travellers in St Michael’s Way next to the A27. All 12 of its permanent pitches are occupied.

Lewes District Council is the only Sussex authority which plans to introduce more sites.