THERE was a large police presence at a traveller site north of Brighton this morning.

Several force cars and vans pulled into the St Michael's Way Traveller site at about 8am, a witness reported.

Trading Standards and RSPCA officers were also in attendance at the scene, which is also known as Horsdean Traveller site.

The Argus: Police at the St Michael's Way Traveller site in BrightonPolice at the St Michael's Way Traveller site in Brighton

Several police officers remained at the scene throughout the morning.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Sussex Police supported a Brighton and Hove City Council Trading Standards operation at Horsdean Travellers Site in Braypool Lane, Patcham, this morning."

The force said the council would need to be contacted for further details.

The St Michael's Way Traveller site is operated by Brighton and Hove City Council.

"We provide temporary and permanent pitches for our travelling communities," the authority's website states.

The site has 12 permanent caravan pitches and 21 transit pitches, where caravans can be stationed for up to three months.

The Argus: Police at the scene north of BrightonPolice at the scene north of Brighton

Following this morning's operation, a Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "Officers from our trading standards team visited the site alongside Sussex Police as part of an ongoing investigation.

"We cannot comment further at this stage.”

RSPCA officers have also provided a comment on the incident.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "Our officers assisted Trading Standards as warrants were executed at a site near Brighton this morning (Friday 13 November 2020).

“This is a council investigation so we cannot comment further at this time.”