Brentwood could be sitting on a potentially explosive "tinder box" if tough action isn't taken to deal with the problems caused by travellers.

That is the warning from MP Eric Pickles this week, after police moved travellers first from Ingatestone's Seymour Field on Sunday and then from Officers Field in Chelmsford Road, Shenfield on Tuesday.

Concerns are mounting that Brentwood is becoming a "soft touch" for travellers and Mr Pickles is among those calling on the borough council and Essex Police to take swift and tough action.

He said: "On Saturday I had one of my regular advice centres at Ingatestone Community Club and found myself addressing a crowd of almost 100 angry residents complaining about the lack of action when travellers moved onto Seymour Field in the village earlier in the week.

"Yet simply no action was taking place because the police claimed they didn't have the manpower to act. This is in direct contradiction to promises made last month to myself and other Essex MPs by the Chief Constable, who promised tough action on travellers.

"That is unacceptable and I spent a significant part of the weekend talking with police officers of different ranks to get action taken. On Sunday, the travellers were moved on by a team of just seven officers using the legal powers available to them."

Mr Pickles was joined by West Horndon borough councillor Roy Boggis, who said: "Brentwood Borough Council is becoming a laughing stock among the travelling community."

Simon Bennett, head of Brentwood council's environmenal health, praised the "prompt action and very welcome co-operation between the police and the council." He said it was a successaful operation and added that the travellers have now left the district.

Police use their own vehicle to hitch up (inset) and move on illegally-parked caravans on land off Chelmsford Road, Shenfield.

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