CALLS are growing for get-tough police powers to be used in a town which feels at the mercy of travellers.

Frinton and Walton Town Council vowed to set up a working party in a bid to tackle the widespread problem affecting several of the area’s open spaces.

It also wants to quiz Tendring Council chief executive Ian Davidson about the different ways travellers are dealt with across the district.

Recently they were moved within 48 hours of arriving in Dovercourt on June 8.

Deputy mayor Iris Johnson said: “This can’t continue. It’s totally wrong and we’re being held to ransom by these people.

“Residents want to be clean and decent people but at the moment they’re getting waylaid by these people and their habits.

“It’s absolutely appalling.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Appalled - Frinton and Walton mayor Iris Johnson

Travellers left land near the Columbine Centre and Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles on June 13 after being served with a direction to leave order.

It is the third incident since the Easter weekend, including May 25 when a group left behind human excrement, which had to be cleared up by council waste contractor Veolia.

Walton resident Jan King urged the town council to take preventative measures to protect open spaces, such as having boulders across the entrance to Bath House Meadow on Eastern Promenade.

She added: “It affects every resident who lives in the vicinity.

“Do we have to stand here and take this?”

Police can use a Section 61 order to force trespassers to leave if they have ignored the landowner’s request.

They can use the get-tough powers if damage has been caused to land or property, if there has been threatening or abusive behaviour, or there are more than five vehicles.

Under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, police can order trespassers to leave if they have ignored the land owner’s request.

But trespassing is not a criminal offence and the responsibility falls on the landowner.

A spokesman for Tendring Council said Section 61 powers cannot be used by the local authority.

However, district councillor for Walton Delyth Miles, promised to follow up on concerns by raising the matter at district level.

She said: “I feel just as passionately as everyone else and the clean-up is costing the taxpayer money.

“But we have to be mindful of tarring everyone with the same brush.”

“The travellers we had earlier in the year left the place spotlessly clean.”