TRAVELLERS have moved onto a sports field.

A caravan was seen pitching up in Oakwood Park, off Stephenson Road, Eastwood, yesterday morning.

When approached by an Echo photographer, one man claimed he owned the land- which is actually under the control of Southend Council.

He added that he was preparing the site for his “mates” to arrive.

The Echo understands the travellers are the same group who set up camp at an industrial park in nearby Progress Road on Sunday, September 11.

The man shouted at our photographer: “Get away from my caravan. This is my land now, I own it.

“All of my mates will be here this evening.”

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw one caravan there in the morning and it looked like they were measuring out for the rest to come.

“It’s a worry because children and dogs use that park a lot.”

A day after travellers settled in Progress Road, police were called to reports of suspected stolen copper pipes being loaded into a vehicle.

Officers arrested one man after the group allegedly attempted to stop officers examining a Transit van.

Up to five police cars, including unmarked cars, soon arrived as back-up, meanwhile.

Police monitored the site over the weekend, which by Monday had grown from three caravans to eight.

Mark Flewitt, Tory councillor responsible for housing, planning and public protection services, has called for a change in the law.

He wants it to become easier for land owners to secure possession orders to move travellers on.

He said: “It’s not like they just move from one area to the other without causing trouble.

“The mess they leave behind is unfair on the taxpayer. It costs about £1,000 for a simple clear up.”