By Richard SmithPOLICE officers were called in to support council staff when action was started to move travellers who had set up camp in a seaside resort.

By Richard Smith

POLICE officers were called in to support council staff when action was started to move travellers who had set up camp in a seaside resort.

Travellers illegally moved several mobile homes onto land owned by Suffolk Coastal District Council at the south seafront at Manor Terrace, Felixstowe, on Sunday.

Council staff then issued the travellers with written confirmation they were trespassing while police were in attendance.

David Smith, council cabinet member for the south seafront land development, said: “This is a very unwelcome illegal trespass by a small group of travellers and we hope and expect that they will move on immediately.

“The council cannot simply remove these travellers, we have to go through a thorough process of welfare checks and other administrative and legal processes before a notice of eviction can take place.

“Whilst this course of action is being considered, I would ask that all residents continue to show restraint where these travellers are concerned.”

Suffolk police are also monitoring a large group of travellers who have camped on an area of waste land beside the A140.

The group of between 20 and 25 people have parked their vehicles on land next to Roy Humphrey's garage at Brome industrial estate, near Eye.

Police spokesman Mike Nunn said the travellers had moved into the area from Norfolk at the weekend and added they had indicated they were planning to stay for only a few days.

“Local authorities and landowners have the facility to take action to move trespassers off land,” he said.

“When the time comes for the travellers to move, the local authority officers or landowners will be fully supported by the police in enforcing their notice.

“In the meantime, the force will continue to work closely with the community, which includes the travellers, and they will receive a level of policing which is appropriate to the circumstances.”

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk