POLICE were forced to take action to move travellers along after they refused to leave a popular beauty spot.

Elderly residents living near Squirrels Field in Colchester said they felt afraid to walk their dogs while travellers were on site.

A group of seven caravans moved onto Squirrels Field, part of High Woods Country Park, on Sunday night.

Colchester Council, which owns the site, said a team had visited the travellers on Monday and had asked them to move on.

However, this morning the caravans were still there and residents reported fires being started on the fields and the travellers’ dogs attacking other dogs in the park.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said one resident had been left shaken after a dog from the camp attacked him and his puppy.

She said: “There was a gentleman who said his dog had been attacked.

“Fortunately the dog was OK but the owner was shaken up.

“We are keeping clear of that area and a lot of elderly people cannot make it all the way to the woods with their dogs so they are being kept from taking them out.”

She added: “I think it’s appalling and I told the dog owner to report it to the police. It seems the dog from the camp was being used as a guard dog.”

Reports were also made on social media of fires being started on Monday night, and horses were brought on site this morning.

This afternoon Essex Police officers issued a Section 61 notice, meaning they have the power to remove trespassers if they refuse to leave the site.

A Colchester Council spokesperson said they have been given the final chance to this evening.

He said: “Following reports that a member of the public was menaced by unsupervised dogs from an unauthorised encampment set up on council land at Squirrels Field, police served a Section 61 Notice ordering the travellers to leave by 6pm this evening."