Traveller numbers increased in the region and some set up illegal sites

Figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister showed a total of 4,188 caravans in the region, 382 more than in the summer of 2002.

Caravans on unauthorised sites totalled 1,363, or 32.5%.

The biggest increase in travellers was in Cambridgeshire with a total of 1,356 caravans, up 199. Essex has 1,170, up 161, while Norfolk has 395, up 143.

In Bedfordshire, numbers fells from 264 in the summer of 2002 to 201, while in Hertfordshire they stayed the same at 402.

Luton recorded a small fall from 44 to 42 as did Suffolk, from 240 to 222.

In Northamptonshire, caravan numbers fell from 438 to 400.