DORSET PCC Martyn Underhill has responded to criticism from Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood over Dorset Police's handling of illegal travellers' camps.

An encampment of around 30 caravans in Muscliff Park sparked a debate between the force and Mr Ellwood.

As reported in the Daily Echo yesterday, he has asked policing minister Brandon Lewis to address Dorset Police and local authorities about taking a “more robust line” when using laws such as Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

In a letter to the Echo, Mr Underhill called for a change in legislation and urged Mr Ellwood to help “resolve this age-old problem rather than censure local police who are acting with a blunt and unworkable law”.

Mr Ellwood acknowledged there was “ambiguity” in the legislation but there was “no national need for the law to be changed”.

He said: “Other constabularies are using the full powers of Section 61, and I very much encourage Dorset Police to do the same – I look forward to a visit from Brandon Lewis who will be able to clarify the law so it can be used in a more robust fashion.”

Cllr David Smith, Cabinet member for Planning and Environment, said he supported Mr Ellwood's comments about Dorset Police's "failure" to use the laws available to them to move travellers on and has slammed their "inaction and unwillingness to deal with the unauthorised encampment at Muscliff."

He told the Daily Echo: "I fully support his position regarding the police failing to use powers available to them. I have written to the Chief Constable of Dorset Police to call an urgent meeting to discuss the police’s inaction and unwillingness to deal with the unauthorised encampment at Muscliff. 

"We, together with local residents, are utterly frustrated with the reluctance of the police to deal with this matter and urge them to use the powers available to them."

Superintendent Mike Rogers of Dorset Police said it is the council's responsibility to lead on managing the situation.

The council say they have now obtained a court date for tomorrow to acquire an order of possession for Muscliff Park. 

Travellers have been camped there nearly a week.

Yesterday, a car park was left an “absolute mess” after a group of travellers set up camp outside two Bournemouth stores.

Around eight caravans arrived outside Staples and Halfords at Parkway Retail Park on Monday, with each caravan taking up at least three parking spaces.

Travellers could also be seen setting up picnic benches.

A Wellington Road resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There were tables and chairs in the middle of the car park and rubbish and beer cans were strewn all over the place – it was an absolute mess.”

A Staples customer added staff had felt “intimidated” by the travellers’ presence and had even locked their doors yesterday, allowing customers through individually.

The situation was reported to the police shortly before 8.30pm on Monday, and Bournemouth council said they were also monitoring the situation. However, they added: “Unfortunately, the car park is private land and therefore we have no jurisdiction.”

A spokesperson for Staples Bournemouth said yesterday that the situation was “in hand” and the store’s landlords had been made aware of the encampment and had already made arrangements to move the travellers on.

“Half of them have already left, and the landlords have also arranged for someone to pick up the rubbish left behind,” the spokesperson added.

*****************************************

Travellers have moved onto a corner of Poole Park only days after the previous set departed.

Some nine caravans and other vehicles arrived in Copse Close yesterday morning before gaining access to the site via a gate next to the car park. 

Last week travellers had two caravans, a motorhome and tents on the same site, but they departed on Thursday after a court order was served.

Council officials were there by 2.30pm yesterday, delivering a pair of portable toilets. They also inspected the padlock and chain and spoke with residents before placing an eviction notice on the post of the opened gate.

A Borough of Poole spokesman said: “We have served a direction order and a court date has been booked for Thursday morning.

“They will have 24 hours to leave and, if they do not, bailiffs will be sent to the site to remove them.”

She said the gate was opened to stop travellers driving over the nearby cricket pitch.

“They had been using the cricket pitch to gain access and, to keep the public safe, the police have opened up the gate to allow access,” she said.

An Orchard Road resident, who did not wish to be named, said her son had seen the caravans attempting to enter Poole Park yesterday afternoon, accompanied by police officers.

She complained that the last group of travellers camping at the park had been lighting bonfires.

Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the previous group had gathered round a bonfire each night last week making noise until the early hours of the morning.

She also said a large amount of rubbish had had to be cleared away on the outskirts of the field so the children’s Poole Park Run could take place on Sunday.

“It was so full of debris they couldn’t get round otherwise,” she said.

“I have lived here for 31 years.

“We never used to have this problem. 

“They have been over in Whitecliff in the past.

“But this year they have ended up here.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said they had been “made aware of the travellers at Poole Park” at 11.19am yesterday.

The spokesperson added that nine caravans were reported at the site.

A number of travellers’ groups will be heading for the Great Dorset Steam Fair. 

The major event, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors, starts tomorrow in Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford.

As well as paid camping at the site, a temporary site for travellers has also been set up.

The site, on a field on the south east side of the A354, is already open.

It has been open every year since 2011 and is used by around 20-30 caravans annually.