A group reportedly arrived yesterday afternoon at around 4pm at Belfairs Park, off Eastwood Road. Several vans were said to have driven into the park, and Southend Council said their officers have already engaged with the campers. A Southend Council spokesperson confirmed the group has been given 24 hours to leave the park. They said: “We are aware that a number of vehicles have arrived in Belfairs Park and council officers have already engaged with them. "Where they seek to occupy locations that are unsuitable, such as Belfairs Park, we engage with them and take the appropriate steps to move them on."