UPDATE: A GROUP of travellers have set up an encampment at Parkway Retail Park in Bournemouth.

Around six or seven caravans were reported to the police shortly before 8.30pm yesterday.

This morning, around eight vehicles were reported in the car park outside Staples.

Each caravan took up around three parking spaces and travellers could be seen having set up picnic benches.

A spokesperson for Bournemouth council said they were “aware” of the situation and “will keep monitoring” it, adding “unfortunately, the car park is private land and therefore we have no jurisdiction.”

A spokesperson for Staples has since told the Echo that the landlords were made aware of the encampment yesterday and have made arrangements to move the travellers on.

"Half of them have already moved on and the situation is in hand. The landlords have also arranged for someone to pick up the rubbish left behind," the spokesperson added.

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POLICING Minister Brandon Lewis has been invited to Dorset in a bid to encourage more robust action against illegal travellers’ camps.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has asked him to address Dorset Police and local authorities and said he hopes it will lead to action to move travellers on in a shorter period of time.

Mr Ellwood said he believes Dorset is a soft target for travellers and that authorities are too nervous to take the tough action used in other parts of the country.

He told the Daily Echo: “I understand that it is difficult to interpret the laws and that Dorset Police want to make sure they’ve got it right.

“But there is clear guidance from the Home Office by Brandon Lewis that constabularies must take a more robust line in interpreting the current laws.”

Mr Ellwood spoke out as around 30 caravans remained on land at Muscliff Park.

He said Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 allows for travellers to be moved on if there are more than six vehicles, if they have caused damage or if anti-social behaviour or violence has been used.

“In this case all three of those things have happened” he said.

“There are 30 vehicles, they have damaged fence posts and there has been aggression towards local residents.

“Travellers know that they can remain on land for seven to 10 days if they come to this area because that’s how long it takes for the council to go through the courts.”

A spokesman for Bournemouth council said they applied to the courts yesterday for a date for a hearing.

Superintendent Mike Rogers, of Dorset Police, said police are working with residents, Bournemouth council and other parties but said it is the council’s responsibility to lead on managing the situation because they own the land.

He said Dorset Police does not believe theSection 61 powers are “proportional, justified and necessary.”

“Under the law and its associated guidance it makes it extremely clear that the police must only enact these powers in exceptional circumstances as a last resort” he said.

“Such exceptional circumstances would include where there is a direct danger to other parties or where the resident community are required to cancel an event.

“The police have a legal duty to balance the rights of the settled community with the recognition of Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers and other travelling communities’ right to live a nomadic life.

“Where a local authority has an approved alternative site for travellers Dorset Police may use different powers under section 62 of the act to direct travellers onto that site. This power is not available in Poole or Bournemouth as there is no approved traveller site.”

Supt Rogers said all reports of crime or anti-social behaviour will be investigated and reassurance patrols will continue.

Comments have been opened on this story but please note: any reference to gypsies or any racially offensive term will cause them to be closed and you may find your account suspended. Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are legally recognised as ethnic groups, and protected by the Race Relations Act.

Please keep your comments to this particular incident and do not generalise about the travelling community. Thanks for your co-operation.