A GROUP of travellers and their caravans have left a public park.

Around a dozen white caravans and other vehicles including cars arrived in Preston Park in Brighton on Monday, May 9.

A series of photographs showed the vehicles on the grass in the lower section of the popular park.

On Thursday last week, Brighton and Hove City Council revealed that police have been asked to “move the group on”.

Sussex Police said officers visited the area and engaged with the individuals involved, as well as local businesses and residents.

Since then, the caravans have left the park.

The Argus: Photo taken of Preston Park in Brighton on Monday, May 16 - one week after a group of travellers arrived in the park Photo taken of Preston Park in Brighton on Monday, May 16 - one week after a group of travellers arrived in the park

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The group were moved on."

Prior to them leaving the park, the council revealed their staff had urged police to use emergency powers to remove the group of travellers from the park.

"We are aware of an unauthorised encampment of travellers in Preston Park who arrived on Monday evening,” a council spokeswoman said.

“We have visited the encampment to discuss the situation and carry out welfare checks on everyone there.

“As this is a well-used local park, we have asked the police to use their emergency powers to move the group on.

“We will work with the police to jointly monitor the encampment and will keep the situation under review, including the request to use emergency powers.”

Photos taken last week showed a number of people inside the caravans doing their laundry and other activities.

Last year, a group of travellers set up camp in Stanmer Park.

As many as six caravans and other assorted vehicles were pictured parked near the University of Sussex in March 2021.

One vehicle can be seen towing woodcutting machinery.

Meanwhile, In July last year, there were spaces for 44 caravans at local authority and privately owned sites in Brighton and Hove, according to the Government's latest traveller caravan count.

Data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities showed there were 38 traveller caravans in the area in July 2021 – up from 28 in July 2019.

Of those counted this year, nine were on unauthorised pitches.