TRAVELLERS have moved onto a field in Southend.

Residents spotted at least five caravans pitching up on the field near the David Lloyd leisure centre on Snakes Lane.

The group moved onto the site at around 1.30pm this afternoon.

Daniel Cowan, councillor for St Laurence Ward, confirmed Southend Council were aware of the group and would be monitoring the situation.

The news comes just hours after another group of travellers left a site in Priory Chase, Rayleigh, near the leisure centre, after remaining there for a number of days.

It has not been confirmed if it is the same group of travellers.

A council spokesperson, said: “We are aware of a number of caravans setting up on Cockethurst Recreation Ground and arrangements are in hand between council officers and Essex Police to serve the initial notice to leave the land.”

The latest incursion onto public land in Southend comes as Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois calls for trespass to be upgraded from a civil to a criminal offence.

Mr Francois renewed his call for the legislative change following a spate of illegal traveller incursions in and around south Essex over the summer months - most recently at Cherry Orchard Country Park, Grove School Playing Fields in Rayleigh and then Priory Chase.

He said: "Many of my constituents are thoroughly sick and tired of seeing illegal incursions by travellers onto both public and private land, year after year, during the Spring and Summer months. While many of these travellers are law abiding, some others unfortunately are not, and they often lead to a significant amount of mess, which then has to be cleared up at public expense.

"When the law in Ireland was changed some years ago, it had the unfortunate effect of persuading more travellers to come to England, because, we are regarded as a ‘soft touch’.

"By following the Irish example and making deliberate acts of trespass a criminal offence, I believe we can cut down on these illegal incursions significantly, thus enabling my constituents to go about their business in peace – something which I am sure many of them would welcome."