CHIEF Constable Sarah Crew has been asked to explain what police were doing to resolve the issue of a group of men illegally camping in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens.

The men, who are believed to be homeless, gained access to the park through a gap in its fencing late on July 1 and have been living in tents in the bushes with police saying they are powerless to do anything about it.

Residents in the area have complained to police about anti-social behaviour and have also asked for help from the park’s owner, Somerset Council.

Now, MP Rachel Gilmour has said she will visit Blenheim Gardens on Monday or Tuesday (July 15 and 16) to see the situation for herself.

Mrs Gilmour has already raised the issue with Ms Crew and asked about ‘the action taken so far’ and requested to be kept updated.

She said: “If I can be of assistance in helping the individuals to access support services please make this clear.”

Mrs Gilmour said she knew through work she had done with The Hope Centre, Minehead, there were a few individuals who were voluntarily homeless.

She said she had encouraged them to contact the appropriate agencies and to keep in touch with them.

Residents living near the Edwardian park said they had suffered from ‘noisy, drunk, and abusive’ behaviour over the past fortnight.

They questioned whether the same situation would have been allowed to continue if it had happened in Vivary Park, in Taunton, where the unitary council has its headquarters.