Neighbours are calling for the removal of more than 17 travellers' caravans from a disused site in Burgess Hill.
They claim they are being intimidated and threatened by the travellers, who moved on to the former Knowles Electronics site in Victoria Road on February 10.
At least 30 residents have signed a petition asking police to move them.
Martin Cull, of South Way, which backs on to the site, said: "We are suffering 24 hours a day, seven days a week because of this."
Mr Cull, an engineer, said he and other residents of South Way and Victoria Avenue had called the police and environmental health officers about the noise and the mess.
A spokeswoman for Mid Sussex District Council said: "The council's hands are tied.
"If we wanted to move them, we would have to get planning permission to remove them because it is private land."
She said the council was monitoring noise levels and working with the police to get an antisocial behaviour order drawn up.
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