Councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the homes and housing delivery committee explained there had been an encampment “of some kind” on New Stadium Road for more than 10 years, “but the groups living there have changed several times”.
“The most recent group to occupy the site has been causing a number of anti-social behaviour issues, with evidence of criminality,” he said.
The council said it was working with Bristol Waste to remove large amounts of rubbish and fly-tipped materials around the site.
Mr Parsons added: “Individuals have been signposted to support services.
“When our contractors visited the site last week they were threatened and had a bottle thrown at their truck. Most of the vehicles have now left the site.”