Travellers leaving Felpham Recreation Ground, council says

Reporting the issue, a spokesperson for Arun District Council’s Parks and Greenspaces Team said teams are on standby to clear the area and secure the site once again.

The spokesperson also promised that teams will be ‘reviewing’ existing deterrents on the site but noted that it is a difficult site to police due to access requirements for maintenance and emergency vehicles year round.

Confirmation from the council comes after Sussex Police issued notice to the illegal encampment under Section 60c of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. The legislation gives police officers the power to direct all persons and vehicles to leave an area of land where they are residing unlawfully, providing certain legislative conditions are met.

In line with national guidance, the group was given a reasonable amount of time to leave, and the deadline was 1pm today (May 20). Officers have since visited the site and have confirmed that it is empty.

Chief Inspector Will Keating-Jones, District Commander of Chichester and Arun, said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience while this incident was progressed.“After hearing the community’s concerns, Sussex Police instigated an efficient and proportionate response to ensure the safety and security of local residents whilst taking into consideration the rights of the group members involved. We encourage residents to alert the relevant authorities if they are made aware of an unauthorised encampment