TRAVELLERS have pitched up at Colchester's Park and Ride car park.
Eight caravans arrived at the car park off junction 28 of the A12, near the Weston Homes Community Stadium, around midday on Wednesday.
Police attended the site today following complaints some of the travellers allegedly harassed park and ride customers.
Colchester Council is also monitoring the situation.
A council spokesman said: "We have been advised that there is an unauthorised encampment of travellers at Colchester’s Park & Ride site. This land is owned by Essex County Council.
"Essex Countywide Traveller Unit visited the site today [Thursday] and has served ‘direction to leave’ notices.
"If, after 24 hours following notice served, the travellers do not leave the site, court action will be taken to ensure their removal. If a court order is necessary, the procedure will take between seven to ten days.
"The police will visit the unauthorised encampment and in certain circumstances may choose to use their emergency powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
"It is for the senior officer who visits the encampment to decide what action should be taken." 

Mick Page, Essex County Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning, added: “I would like to reassure users of the Colchester Park and Ride that it continues to function as usual despite a small group of travellers parking at the site car park."