A cohort of cars and caravans parked on the back end of a playing field at Crestwood Community School on Shakespeare Road on Monday night.
The school has been closed all week to students as the summer holidays have started, but staff have been on site each day carrying out maintenance and improvements.
A spokesperson for Hampshire police confirmed that officers were made aware of vehicles being driven in “an anti-social manner” on the field.
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They had been visiting the site and giving direction for the encampment to leave under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
This act gives officers the power to direct individuals to leave the land and remove any vehicles or property that they have with them.
Failure to comply with the directions is a criminal offence.
Powers under this act can be considered if there is local disruption to the economy, or other significant disruption to the local community or environment.
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They can also be used if communities are deprived of local amenities or if there is a danger to life where there is a need to take preventative action.
A spokesperson for Hampshire police told the Echo this morning: “Following a review of the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised encampment, police utilised these powers yesterday evening (29 July), and the group began to leave the site this morning.
“We will always ensure that we balance the needs and rights of all our communities with actions that are proportionate, lawful and necessary.
“We work closely with landowners and our partners to ensure that a robust approach is taken against unauthorised encampments within legal parameters.
“Our partnership work also seeks to identify repeat locations where there has been criminality or disorder in order to target harden these sites.”
Speaking previously to the Echo, Crestwood Community School headteacher Krista Dawkins said: “I have been overwhelmed by the offers of support from parents and local residents, it has been very heart warming as a part of the Eastleigh Community.”
