A GROUP of travellers camped at Sandbanks have left a trail of mess and unhappy holidaymakers in their wake.

A encampment of eight motorhomes had been at Sandbanks Car Park since Wednesday and left late on Monday - leaving council staff to clear up a trail of rubbish.

They also left some unhappy beach goers behind them - including one visitor who contacted the Echo after spending the Bank Holiday with his family on Sandbanks beach. He told of dogs running free and defecating on the beach, intimidating behaviour, and at one point an attempt to take the lifeguard’s paddleboard.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said police were called to a report of nuisance and antisocial behaviour by a group of around 20 people close to the lifeguard tower.

“Officers attended and a section 35 dispersal order was issued with a time frame of 12 hours. Following this, the individuals involved left the area.”

Borough of Poole staff began the clean up operation yesterday. The council told the Echo they “do not record costs for this separately” but the annual cost of dealing with traveller encampments across the borough is approximately £35,000.

A debate has been raging in neighbouring Bournemouth about taking a tough stance after 30 traveller caravans set up camp illegally at Muscliff Park, with MP Tobias Ellwood and Dorset PCC Martyn Underhill calling for changes.

Cllr John Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment in Poole, said they would be looking at making potential ‘target’ sites in the borough more secure.

He said: “We aim to work with groups where possible. We take court action when necessary and at high profile sites or where travellers are causing particular disruption to the local community this process starts immediately.

“We review the effectiveness of our site management annually and this year will particularly look at the effects of the target-hardening measures put in place at specific sites.”

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“THE exception rather than the rule” is how Dorset Race Equality Council has described the behaviour of travellers at Sandbanks on the Bank Holiday.

Adnan Choudry, chief officer of the equality council, told the Echo: “We don’t condone such behaviour and we are disappointed that such behaviour has occurred and residents were upset by the whole thing.

“We know in most cases that encampments in Dorset are on the whole very peaceful and have been over the years.

“This is the exception rather than the rule. We are very sorry it’s happened - we wouldn’t condone such behaviour - from anybody.”

There have been 18 illegal encampments across ten sites in Poole this year, including Poole Park, Dolphin Swimming Poole car park, Whitecliff Rec, Turlin Moor Rec, Baiter, Poole Stadium car park, land adjacent to Creekmoor Park and Ride, Broadstone Rec, and Montacute School.

The council had begun the legal process to move on the travellers at Sandbanks - but the group left on their own on Monday.