THE number of illegal traveller sites in Bournemouth has fallen this year, according to council figures.

Bournemouth Borough Council claimed investment in "traveller defences" and improved communication had led to the drop in encampment sites in the town.

At last Tuesday's meeting of Bournemouth Borough Council's full council, it was revealed that 13 encampments had been logged in Bournemouth this financial year, compared to 20 the previous year.

Cllr Robert Lawton, cabinet member for housing, said this year's encampments have not lasted as long as they have in past years.

"This is probably due to the robust procedures that we are now implementing as soon as unauthorised encampments arise in the borough," Cllr Lawton said.

"The legal process is initiated as soon as possible and penalty charge notices have been issued where appropriate to vehicles in several encampments this year.

"Another factor is that traveller defences including height barriers, physical barriers and landscaping works are constantly being added to vulnerable sites across the borough.

"This is reducing the options for many traveller groups to set up unauthorised encampments especially in parks and open spaces, but also increasingly sadly in our car parks."

Last month, the Bournemouth Echo reported that illegal camps have cost Bournemouth tac payers £375,000 over the past nine years.

Traveller sites have been reported this year in the Echo all across the conurbation, as well as in Christchurch and Poole.

Cllr Lawton also said there has been improved communication channels between Bournemouth Parks, police and Poole Borough Council concerning traveller movements within the area.

"This enables us to be ready to act quickly in the event of travellers moving to Bournemouth from another site within the area," he said.

"The risk and impact of unauthorised encampments are reviewed every year and our approach is agreed before the start of each new season.

"It is an ongoing issue but our approach in recent years seems to have paid dividends in a marked reduction in adverse impact to residents in Bournemouth in comparison to previous years."