Tents set up on a beach will soon be gone as the council has threatened action before the weekend.

Residents of the 'tent city' near the bandstand on Brighton beach were given two days to leave yesterday, after they spent over a month in the area, or Brighton and Hove City Council will slap them with a notice which can run up hefty fines.

Council officers were spotted at the tarpaulin town on Wednesday afternoon, engaging with its residents, some of whom were asleep under tarpaulin set up against a groyne.

The Argus: It is near the West Pier and one of the busiest beaches in the cityIt is near the West Pier and one of the busiest beaches in the city (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The "emergency planning" team told them that they have until Friday to leave the beach, or a Community Protection Notice will be issued. This notice is only issued when there is "unreasonable" conduct which has a "detrimental effect, of a persistent nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality".

If they do not comply with the notice, fines of up to £2,500 can be issued, and a court can remove the tents from those staying there.

The Argus: Council officers navigate the 'tent city'Council officers navigate the 'tent city' (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The first tent was said to have arrived in early August and a resident said new additions turned it into a "tent city".

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said they were working to remove the encampment "as soon as possible" on August 29, but the tents remained. 

Sussex Police also said, on the same day, that they are "working closely with partner agencies to resolve the situation."

The Argus: Bikes and burned pallets are at the siteBikes and burned pallets are at the site (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Yesterday the council said they will be taking action on the encampment. A spokesman said: "Council officers are continuing to engage with the occupants of the two beach encampments.

“Both are aware of the need to move by Friday or be served with a Community Protection Notice."

It promised The Argus that a "full clean-up" will take place once the group leave.

The Argus: The tents are even graffitiedThe tents are even graffitied (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Beachgoers also previously raised concerns about antisocial behaviour on Brighton beach, with one saying their favourite spot was "ruined".

They say people have been seen injecting drugs in broad daylight, defecating on a beach groyne and fist fighting next to families and children in the area.

Another told The Argus: “It's coming to the point where I’m not going to be able to go down at all.”

Discarded alcohol containers, burnt pallets and fabric rugs were seen on Wednesday afternoon.