Travellers on Eastbourne seafront – what the authorities are doing

The group, originally from Ireland, arrived in Eastbourne last Tuesday and there are currently around 20 vehicles on grassland between the Sovereign Centre and Monarch House.

It is estimated there are around 30 adults and more than 40 children in the group.

Welfare checks have been carried out by the authorities.

What the authorities are doing

But Eastbourne Police has not yet issued a Section 61 notice requiring the group to move and the council has also not yet applied for a court order.

A spokesperson at Eastbourne council said today (Monday), “We continue to explore every option open to us.

“Our officers are liaising with Sussex Police with regard to their powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. A Section 61 notice would require the site to be vacated.

“We are also moving forward with proceedings under Section 77 of the same act.”

There were several complaints this morning of litter building up in the area despite the fact the council has provided two large commercial size litter bins.

The council spokesperson added, “Earlier we emptied the refuse bins that we put on the site and can report that two of the vehicles that were present over the weekend, have now left.”

Eastbourne Police has not yet responded.