POLICE are probing claims a traveller threw a chair at a woman and her dog as she walked through a field where an encampment had pitched up.

Officers confirmed an investigation was under way after a woman, in her 40s, reported she was verbally abused and a chair was thrown as she walked through Cockethurst recreation ground, off Snakes Lane, Eastwood.

An encampment has been on the field, next to David Lloyd leisure centre, for about a week. At least six caravans have been seen on the grounds yesterday.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I was walking my two dogs through the field where they are and one of them is a barker and started barking at one of the children.

“Then the fella came charging towards me and my dog ran off towards the back of the field where the brook is. You could see the anger in his face.”

She claims the man verbally abused her and threatened to kill her before throwing a chair at her dog.

She added: “I was with my other dog, the older one, and he threw a chair at my dog before throwing it at us again.

“He said I shouldn’t even be here and I told him he shouldn’t be either, it’s a recreational ground.

“I called my little dog back who was scared and had run off, I didn’t want to him to run out the gate past me and run home.

“They were quite amicable last week when I walked my dogs there, there hasn’t been any problems up until now.

“I usually go with my husband and my daughter says I shouldn’t go alone, but why should I be pushed out of where I go every single day.

“I thought I’m not going to be intimidated.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called at 8.10am on May 17 with reports a woman had been verbally abused by a man in Snakes Lane, Southend, and he had thrown a deckchair towards her dog.

“Officers attended and gave the victim safeguarding advice.We continue to investigate the incident.”

A spokesman for Southend Council, said: “The council continues to work in line with current Government guidance concerning gypsies and travellers issued specifically around the Covid-19 pandemic, and respond accordingly.”

An encampment pitched up at the same ground in September, although it is not known if it was the same group.