MP James Duddridge blasted travellers who camp illegally saying he is “not tolerant” of them...and neither were his constituents.

The MP for Rochford and Southend East also suggested a “three strikes and you’re out rule” where travellers have all their assets seized on the third occasion they chose to set-up where they shouldn’t.

The cash raised would go towards the clear-up.

His comments came as south Essex MPs pushed hard in Parliament for tougher laws against travellers.

Mr Duddridge said he is fed up with the damage left by travellers over what has been a summer of discontent across Southend and south Essex where illegal encampments are concerned.

He said: “I personally am not tolerant. My constituents are not tolerant. When Gunners Park, Shoebury, was littered, when Trinity football ground (Southend) was paved over with a travelling community, and when Cherry Orchard Park (Rochford) was invaded, my constituents were not tolerant.

“Can we have a three strikes and out rule? These people have expensive land cruisers and big trucks. If they park on council land or private land more than three times, may we give the police the power to take those assets and sell them for the good of the community and to clear up some of the mess that is left behind?”

During the lively debate at the House of Commons on Monday night, MPs stood together to rally for more discretionary powers to be granted to local authorities. They pushed hard for recommendations to the government to adopt Ireland’s law, the so-called “Irish Option”, where deliberate acts of trespass are treated as a criminal offence rather than a civil one.

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, said: “I believe we should now look across the Irish Sea for a solution and adopt the Irish government’s system of making such deliberate acts a criminal offence.

“In fact, the Irish system is one reason why so many traveller families from Ireland now come to the United Kingdom. By making this change I believe that we can provide a very real deterrent for those who seek to trespass quite deliberately on public land.”

Mr Francois will also now submit a formal submission to Ministers at the Department for Communities and Local Government to push his case.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has described the situation in his constituency as desperate, as travellers have caused much distress for residents. He referred to travellers dumping up to 40 tonnes of rubbish in Church Yard, Basildon, leaving residents in tears. It has cost Basildon Council£60,000 to clear up rubbish left by travellers in the last financial year. He said: “Don’t forget Basildon was the home of Dale Farm.

“This was an example of what happens when one fails to take early enforcement action and the powers available are not effective.

“That said I want to pay personal tribute to the then leader of Basildon Council Councillor Tony Ball who never wavered in his commitment to clear the site, despite death threats and intimidation and worked closely with my Hon Friend for Basildon and Billericay John Baron to eventually clear the site.”Basildon routinely seeks support from the High Court through injunctions to prevent or punish planning breaches and this can be an effective remedy.

However, there are no guarantees as it is a discretionary remedy and a judge can legitimately decide to allow a breach of an injunction to go unpunished or refuse to grant an injunction even where the council has proved its case.”

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, said: “I hope residents will contribute constructively to the Government’s review.”