THE district is on high alert to take action against travellers planning to set up camp illegally during the upcoming bank holidays.

A zero-tolerance approach has been adopted and investigations are under way at a number of sites around Brentwood that are believed to be vulnerable during the royal wedding, Easter and May holiday weekends.

Residents' concerns have heightened with the news that Basildon Borough Council last month committed millions of pounds to finally evict Europe's largest gypsy camp, Dale Farm in Billericay, while many remember caravans in Blackmore moving in on a site off Chelmsford Road over Easter weekend 2009, where they still remain.

This year, a temporary injunction has just been granted at High Court to Brentwood Borough Council to prevent "a breach of planning law" north of Rayleigh Road in Hutton.

Further alarm bells have been raised when diggers removed a section of hedge at Sandpit Lane, Pilgrims Hatch, on Wednesday and a wooden gate has been installed in its place, to create access to the green belt field.

Residents we spoke to this week were unwilling to have their names published in the Gazette.

A concerned 68-year-old, near the site, said: "I would not want to wake up and find it full of caravans. We do feel vulnerable."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said there had been gypsies on the field around 20 years ago and she was concerned they would return to the site, which is used regularly by dog walkers to access Weald Country Park.

She said: "A major concern is the noise, the rubbish and traffic going in and out.

"The council has got to act quickly, like the gypsies do."

Further hedging has been removed behind a bungalow, backing on to the Pilgrims Hatch field, where just a small fence now stands.

Ward councillors Barry Aspinell and Vicky Davies are calling for all legal steps to be taken to protect the site and have asked for a 6ft fence to be installed behind the bungalow.

They have also urged residents to remain vigilant and some have parked cars to block the entrance.

Councillor Aspinell said the owner of the land had recently passed away and they understood the site was up for sale.

He said he would even welcome a permanent, physical barrier in place to block the entrance.

He said: "It is 100 per cent a concern for all residents living nearby and all the people in the greater area of Pilgrims Hatch.

"We have eyes and ears out there now and as soon as anything happens we will move in and the appropriate action will be taken."

Councillor Davies said: "The green belt is precious and we are all subject to the regulations that are designed to prevent inappropriate development.

"I hope against hope this beautiful piece of Pilgrims Hatch countryside remains untouched but I fear for its future and we may have a battle on our hands."

Hutton is another area on alert, where sites continue to be investigated, as councillors and residents lie in wait to stop travellers or gypsies moving in illegally.

A 59-year-old resident living near one of the Hutton sites said there were rumours that caravans could be arriving on Good Friday.

He suspected the site was in fact a "red herring" to take attention from another site in the parish, but predicted unrest if caravans did move in.

He said: "I suggest we have some kind of patrol of local people.

"As soon as you see something suspicious then the necessary people can be notified.

"An obvious course of action is to park cars in the way and as soon as travellers try to remove a vehicle it becomes criminal damage."

Residents are advised to contact the town hall, local councillors or the police if they see any suspicious activity.