PRESSURE is mounting on Essex Police to use all their powers to move on illegal travellers' camps, as taxpayers' money spirals out of control to foot the bill.

In an open letter to Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, Brentwood Council leader Louise McKinlay questioned the police's reluctance to use Section 61 notices, whereby officers are granted powers to instantly move on travellers.

Her comments come as the council's bill to tackle the issue tallies up to almost £10,500 this year, for court orders and bailiffs alone.

The decision to publicly approach Mr Hirst was an attempt to call a round-table meeting among council leaders and the PCC to review police powers.

Ms McKinlay said: "As you will be aware, the Borough of Brentwood has been experiencing an increased number of unauthorised incursions on publicly owned land this year.

"To put this in to context, last year, there were nineteen incursions from May to October but this year, as of today there have already been twenty.

"For the Council, there is the financial cost of successive incursions, already at nearly £10,500 this year for court orders and bailiffs alone."

She added frustration is compounded by the council shelling out £150,000 to protect sites such as the Brentwood Centre, which has suffered repeat incursions.

The council leader also vented her anger at the loss of public amenities, particularly during the school holidays, preventing families from visiting.

The letter prompted Mr Hirst to call a roundtable meeting consisting of MPs, police, community leaders and the public to discuss immediate and long term solutions.

“The aim of the meeting will be to identify the issues that are causing most

concern and agree solutions.

"The roundtable will discuss the development of a strategic framework for addressing the issue of unauthorised traveller encampments, ensuring that police and local

authorities continue to work together, as partners, to identify and implement solutions within the framework of the law.”