I immediately contacted both Brighton and Hove City Council, and Sussex Police, to check whether the encampment would impact on any planned events taking place at the park over the bank holiday weekend.

I was advised that there are no public events due to take place at Preston Park over the weekend, and that both the police and the council agreed that the unauthorised encampment, at present, does not meet the threshold for the police to use their powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

This provides the police with powers to evict immediately, but only if certain criteria are satisfied. These include disruption to local events.

I went back to the police yesterday to check how this would be monitored over the weekend.

Nev Kemp, the Chief Superintendent, assured me that the situation would be kept under review, and I have made very clear that I support immediate action being taken should the encampment pose any risk to planned local events.

This morning I also heard reports of dangerous driving at the unauthorised encampment. I’m very concerned about this.

It's vital that park users are able to continue to use the park safely - so I've gone back to Sussex Police to see if they will review the situation, and to ensure everything possible is being done to keep the park safe for all residents.