Travellers pitched up in Coney Hall Recreation Ground on Sunday night (September 28), causing concern for local residents.

Neighbours say around 20 caravans moved in, and added they gained access to the park via Layhams Road, where wooden posts along the edge of the park were removed.

One woman, whose grandson goes to Parklands Nursery, next to the park, said she was worried about sending him there. 

The school refused to comment.

Councillor Tim Stevens, executive councillor for public protection and safety, said: "As soon as we became aware of this latest illegal incursion involving a relatively large number of travellers, the legal processes were started.  

"This behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated and we will always use the law to the full extent that we can in these situations.  

"That legal action is underway, with the police issuing their so-called section 61 notice and the travellers are now moving on."

A police spokesman added: "We were made aware that travellers had moved on to the site on Sunday evening.

"Local neighbourhood officers went over there and, working in conjunction with local authorities, served a notice.

"The travellers are now in the process of being removed from the site."

The travellers were cleared from the site this morning (September 30).

This comes after travellers moved in to the car park by West Wickham station on September 22, with locals claiming at the time they took up "at least half the car park".