A GROUP of travellers have pitched up in a casino car park in Southend.

Kursaal ward councillor Matt Dent shared the news on social media that the group have set up in the car park of Rendezvous Casino in Eastern Esplanade.

It is understood the group arrived at the car park last night.

The casino shut for good last month due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on trade.

Mr Dent said: "I have been made aware by residents of a group of travellers setting up in the car park of the Rendezvous Casino last night, and causing considerable nuisance and antisocial behaviour to residents in the area.

"Though the council owns the freehold for this land, as part of the Kursaal site, it is leased out on a long lease to a private company. As part of this lease, responsibility for security of the site rests with the leaseholder.

"The matter is currently with the police, who are carrying out the legally required 'welfare checks'.

"Thereafter the matter is the responsibility of the leaseholder, unless and until the police decided to take action on public order grounds.

"I would request that any residents of the area observing any antisocial or criminal behaviour report it to the police, and/or to myself at cllrdent@southend.gov.uk."

Update 2.15pm: It has been reported that the travellers have moved on from the car park.

Southend Council have been contacted for comment.