POLICE used emergency powers to move on travellers who set up camp in a leisure centre car park.

Officers were called after about 17 caravans arrived and set up an unauthorised encampment in Leisure World’s car park off Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, on Sunday night.

A disturbance involving a number of travellers was also dealt with at the Marquis pub in North Hill shortly before 3.30am yesterday morning.

No arrests were made and travellers were escorted back to the camp after the incident.

Three police cars were parked up at the site of the encampment yesterday morning and Colchester Council reported there were incidents of “low level disruption”.

Officers attended the site to monitor the situation.

Police then used emergency powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 forcing travellers to leave the area by midday.

Chief Inspector Shaun Kane said: “Essex Police have worked alongside Colchester Council in taking these steps to move the unauthorised encampment on.

“With criteria met, we have made the decision, in agreement with our partners, to issue a Section 61 notice, to minimise disruption to the public and businesses.

“Where any criminal activity has taken place, officers will investigate these incidents.”

Following the order, no more incidents were reported and the travellers left the area.

A Colchester Council spokesman said after the travellers had left, zone wardens removed three bags of rubbish.

He said: “We became aware of a number of travellers arriving at Leisure World Colchester on Sunday evening, and both the Police and the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit were informed.

“The council has to achieve a balance with parking at all of its venues – including Leisure World Colchester – between permitting legitimate vehicular access and deterring unpermitted vehicular access.

“ The council must maintain vehicular access for visitors, community events organisers and emergency vehicles, which means it cannot permanently bar access in such a way as to prevent unauthorised encampments.

“We will, however, continue to work closely with the police and ECTU, including taking court action when necessary, in order to deal with the problem of unauthorised encampments wherever they arise.”

Leisure World remained open for business as usual throughout the day.