Littlehampton traveller camp: Video shows caravans leaving park as council installs temporary concrete barriers

This comes after caravans and motorhomes arrived at Rosemead Park on Sunday night (April 6).

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Police liaised with Littlehampton Town Council about travellers at Rosemead park on April 7.

"On April 8, after reports were made to police about youngsters entering resident’s gardens, assaults, stones being thrown and residents feeling fearful police powers were authorised and a Section 60C dispersal order was issued, ordering the travellers to leave the next morning (April 9)."

Littlehampton Town Council, which owns the site, said on Monday that there were 18 caravans and motorhomes parked at Rosemead Park.

“We are co-ordinating with the county council as well as Sussex Police on this matter,” a spokesperson said.

“A notice will be served requiring them to vacate the land, and if they fail to comply, court proceedings will be initiated.

“We will continue to monitor the site in collaboration with Sussex Police.”

The town council posted an update on social media on Wednesday.

This read: “Following enforcement action, the unauthorised encampment at Rosemead Park has now departed.

“Sussex Police issued a notice requiring the occupants to leave the site by 10am today using their statutory powers in response to reported concerns.

“Town council representatives have since inspected the park and confirmed that the area has been vacated. The site has been checked and is now clean and open for public use.

“We are currently collaborating with Boklok to install temporary concrete barriers within the next few days as an immediate security measure. Work on more permanent preventative solutions will follow in due course.”

The town council said it was installing ‘temporary concrete boulders’ on Thursday, adding: “We're also developing more permanent preventative solutions.”

Arun District Council also issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

This read: “We have been informed of the presence of a number of caravans/motorhomes at Rosemead Park in Littlehampton.

“West Sussex County Council travellers team are also aware and they have provided advice and support to Littlehampton Town Council who own the land and are responsible for taking the appropriate action.”

Video footage, taken on Wednesday morning, showed the travellers leaving the park.

The police spokesperson added: “The travellers moved to Tesco in Wick and police quickly attended when complaints were made, enacting legislation again for them to move on.

"Reports included them harassing shoppers, taking food from trolleys, trying to get into cars, damaging a fridge in Currys and stealing items from there and Wicks.”

Sergeant Molly O’Malley said officers ‘acted as swiftly as we could’ and thanked the public for calling in ‘as they really are our eyes and ears’.

She added: “We empathise with the residents, shoppers and businesses impacted by this antisocial and criminal behaviour. We took positive action and quickly enacted legislation for the travellers to leave.

"We will investigate any reports made to us, based on the evidence available.”