A BOROUGH-wide “lockdown” was implemented in Bournemouth yesterday, as teams of officers attempted to thwart any more illegal incursions of travellers.

Some council staff cut their holidays short to help secure and man all car parks and green spaces in Bournemouth – an operation which succeeded in deterring unauthorised encampments in Redhill and Slades Farm.

The lockdown could continue today, as officers monitor a large group of travellers that left Pelhams in Kinson yesterday and appeared to be regrouping in Poole.

Yesterday’s operation saw staff deployed in pairs and in any available vehicle, including officers in tractors at Kinson Common swimming pool entrance. There were security guards in place at Kings Park, which is one of the most popular sites for travellers.

Bournemouth is battling to cope with an unprecedented number of illegal encampments this year and council leader John Beesley told police he will fund measures to deal with the problem.

He said the council were taking “every legal means possible to make travellers unwelcome” but warned the law is limited and is calling on the government to strengthen their hand against illegal traveller incursions.

“I completely share the frustration of Bournemouth’s residents and visitors who find open spaces and car parks occupied and unavailable for use because of unauthorised encampments,” he said.

“We’ve had an unprecedented number of illegal encampments so far this year and although this has put enormous strain on the council’s limited resources, we are doing everything that is legally required to evict these people and make the sites secure, regardless of the unwelcome cost.”

And he added: “What I’ve said to officers is that whatever resources are required will be provided. It’s an issue that we as an authority have got a responsibility to deal with.

“There’s no constraints in terms of cost, they have whatever’s needed to deal with the issue and put in preventative measures.”

The council has already spent tens of thousands of pounds this year trying to deter travellers, securing eviction orders and carrying out clean-up operations at numerous different sites.

Cllr Beesley and officials from Poole will meet government minister Bob Neill next week to explain the limitations faced by the council when it deals with traveller incursions and the severe shortage of any suitable land for an official site.

He added that they were also urging the police to use their powers to move on travellers whenever they could.

Councillor Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for environment, Borough of Poole said: “In previous years when an eviction order was served on a traveller encampment they tended to move out of the area.

“Overall, the number of traveller groups who are visiting Poole is consistent with previous years. However this year, one particular group has stayed within the area.

“Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council have asked the Housing Minister to come down so we can express our concerns about the statutory obligations to accommodate bona fide travellers in a permanent transit site.

“Meanwhile, we are satisfied that Borough of Poole has a very good record of moving travellers on with the minimum cost to local tax payers and the minimum disruption to local residents.”