An encampment of travellers converged on an open space near an airport, factory and fire station.

About 20 caravans and as many vehicles pitched up on land off Marconi Way near BAE Systems and Rochester Airfield on Maidstone Road on Friday night.

A resident who did not want to be named said: “They spread out over two bits of land.

“They were putting up washing lines and picnic tables. They are between the car park behind the fire station and the children’s playground.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 8.43pm on Friday (August 2) to a report of an unlawful encampment on council land in Curtis Way, Rochester.

“Officers attended the site and assisted the landowner who has since served a notice to leave the land.”

It is believed they had left the site by last night.

It’s not the first time unauthorised traveller encampments have been reported in Medway this summer.

At the end of last month, a group set up camp on a field near a busy roundabout.

An encampment of caravans was spotted on open land near the Cornwallis roundabout at the junction of Ito Way in Gillingham.

At the end of June up to 25 vehicles descended on Hook Meadow in Walderslade Road, Chatham. A week later caravans were spotted at Luton Recreation Ground.

Both areas are popular with dog walkers and children who play in designated recreation grounds on site.

Police were called to another incident after a group reportedly tried to access the car park to the new-look Cozenton Park leisure centre.

A man was arrested in connection with an allegation a padlock had been damaged and he was taken into custody before later being released without charge.

Officers spoke to other motorists who were present and they departed.

Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, police in England and Wales were given new powers to address harms caused by unauthorised encampments and new guidance was published.

It comes amid a chronic shortage of gypsy and traveller sites across the UK.