POLICE have been called to Broadstone Rec this morning after threats were made to Echo staff.

A number of police cars are currently on the scene and it is has been confirmed one member of the travelling community has been arrested for a section 4 public order offence against two people.

Bournemouth Echo:

Broadstone councillor Vikki Slade, who arrived at the scene shortly before the Daily Echo, said: "One of the first things that happened when I was elected was the committee trying to figure out where the travellers' site would be.

"The earliest we're going to have a decision is 2017 and it's getting worse every year.

"It's just not on, it's ridiculous.

"It's the way they disrespect the communities they invade."

As the Echo was leaving the scene several members of the travelling group confronted our reporter and photographer again and police stepped in as the furore spilled into Barn Road.

In all, several police cars and a police van were on the scene.

Around 20 travellers' vehicles are dotted around the field.

The verbal abuse continued as we left the scene.

A group of travellers who had been occupying land at Canford Heath moved onto nearby Broadstone Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon.

A Broadstone woman, who asked not to be named, said she saw two caravans drive onto the grassland on the rec, on Charborough Road, at around 4.23pm on Thursday.

She said that a wooden post, aimed to prevent vehicles driving onto the space, had been ‘ripped out of the ground’.

Bournemouth Echo:

However, as she saw one caravan being towed by a transit van and another one being moved by a flatbed truck, a police car came from the other direction to meet them.

She said: “I was walking onto the land with my son and my dog when I saw them move in.”

She added: “The post had clearly been taken out so that more caravans could come in.

“Broadstone Football Club use that land to practice on, and now my son, who’s on one of the juniors teams, will not be able to use it.

“The rec is not going to be safe for children to go on.”

Broadstone Police have posted on their Facebook page: "At approximately 4.25pm yesterday, an unauthorised traveller encampment was established on Broadstone Recreation Ground. Police were quick to respond to calls, however after discussions with the landowner, the Borough of Poole proposed to invoke normal civil eviction proceedings.

"The Borough must now build an eviction case to request a court hearing, with a view to obtaining an eviction authority. The Human Rights Act 1998 must also be fully complied with to ensure the general health, welfare and children’s education within the group.

"The laws around unauthorised encampments remain a civil matter; therefore the police have very little power to deal with complaints. That said, Dorset Police will patrol the recreation ground on foot whenever possible and take positive action where appropriate."

Jeff Morley, Team Manager, Borough of Poole, said: “A group of travellers have accessed an area of Broadstone Recreation Ground by removing wooden posts. As this is the same group who have been occupying land at Verity Park, we will be starting the legal process straight away.”

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