A NEW fence has been installed around a field in a bid to stop travellers and other unauthorised people setting up camp on it.

Residents will have seen the condition of the Billet Field fencing, on the front facing side towards Billet Lane, Stanford-Le-Hope.

The fence was installed after an encampment was removed from the site by police.

Shane Hebb, Conservative councillor for Stanford West, said not only was the old fence untidy but it was thought it helped people access the field without permission.

He added: "Councillors were in the Billet Field the night that a small encampment set up by the rugby club in August.

"The Conservative administration at Thurrock Council which was formed in May have taken the view that such illegal encampments should not be able to stay on any land for very long - we will not be a soft touch!

"Essex Police’s swift execution of Section 61 powers saw the police remove the encampment first thing the next morning.”

Terry Piccolo, Conservative councillor for Stanford-le-Hope West, said that prevention is better than cure.

He added: “We hope residents will be happy, that following the matter being raised, the fence has been replaced along the Billet field. This is our 'prevention' plan - it won't stop anyone with absolute intention of breaking into public land, but it will be a much better deterrent than what we've lived with for a number of years”.

Both councillors feel strongly that the new fencing will hopefully be a welcome visual improvement.

Mr Piccolo added: “SS17 deserves to look it's best and it's things like this which add to all the other good stuff happening around the place we live, work and play in.

"I hope this is a good test of effectiveness, so to see if other areas across the borough could benefit”.

Pauline Tolson, councillor responsible for the environment, said the Billet fields are much-loved by the community and it’s good to see they’ll continue to be protected.

She added: “The target hardening measures across the borough makes sure these popular parks and green spaces are unspoiled by selfish individuals.

“We are committed – as has been demonstrated over the last few months – to taking action on illegal incursions throughout Thurrock. The cost of enforcing and clearing up an encampment far outweighs that of installing preventative measures.”