Tents remain on Brighton beach nearly one week after the city council said it was aware of them.
Brighton and Hove City Council told The Argus last Tuesday (August 29) that it was doing everything it could within its legal powers to remove the encampment “as soon as possible”.
But on Monday afternoon, the tents were still in place and occupants were seen lounging beneath sheets of tarpaulin tied to nearby railings.
Concerns around antisocial behaviour were first raised last week after reports of drug taking and fist fighting on the beach emerged.
One beachgoer, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “One woman told me that she saw a girl who had her trousers down and was injecting into her groin before 5pm.
“They are so brazen and showing such disrespect. It's coming to the point where I’m not going to be able to go down at all.”
She said that the first tent arrived roughly five weeks ago and the new additions turned it into a “tent city”, while people were seen “defecating up the wall” and “at least 20 different men” were spotted “coming and going”.
Speaking last Tuesday, a spokesman for the city council said: “We are working closely with the police to clear the site of tents as soon as is possible within our legal powers.
“Once the site has been cleared we will arrange a full clean-up.
“Anyone with concerns about possible drug use should contact the police on 101.”
On the same day, a spokesman for Sussex Police said: "We are aware of an unauthorised encampment on the seafront in Hove and are working closely with partner agencies to resolve the situation.
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"This includes engaging with those present at the site and the wider community, and ensuring vulnerable people are offered the support they need.
"Criminality, including the sale or use of illegal drugs, will not be tolerated in Brighton and Hove and we conduct regular patrols in the area to identify and deter any behaviour of this nature. Where criminal activity is identified, proportionate action will be taken."
The city council and Sussex Police have been contacted for an update.
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