Southampton City Council has issued a ‘verbal request to leave’ to a group of travellers at Mansel Park in Southampton.

On Sunday, August 4, the Echo reported that around six caravans and four other vehicles including horse trailers are parked in Mansel Park in Redbridge.

Yesterday, August 6, the council issued an update and said that a verbal request and a notice-to-quit letter was served to the group.

A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: “Southampton City Council’s Community Safety Team have completed statutory welfare checks with the occupants of the unauthorised encampment at Mansel Park, Redbridge, Southampton.

“The occupants have been verbally requested to leave the site and served a notice-to-quit letter.

“A report will be submitted to a senior manager at the council, with recommendations on how the site should be dealt with."

Hampshire Constabulary is also monitoring the situation in a bid to prevent any anti-social behaviour.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “We are aware of unauthorised encampments at Mansel Park and Stoneham Lane in Southampton, and our officers have attended both sites to assess the situation.

“We are working closely with the local authority to seek a suitable resolution.”