HAVING spent less than £40,000 from a £234,000 pot securing six open spaces against travellers, Poole has said it was difficult to assess its effectiveness.

The Cabinet has decided to retain a similar sum to deal with any breaches, however the remainder will be returned to central funds for other priorities.

Borough of Poole spent £39,000 securing some of the most vulnerable open spaces against incursions this year with earth banks, rocks, new gates and more secure access points.

The council’s gypsy and traveller review concluded it was “problematic” to assess the effectiveness of the enhancements to Haskells rec, Whitecliff, Baiter, Verity Park at Canford Heath, Broadstone and Branksome recs.

In the report Shaun Robson, head of environmental and consumer protection services, said travellers at Baiter had gained entry this year through an “unforeseen” point, which has since been secured.

There were reports of travellers trying and failing to get into Verity Park and Branksome rec, while Whitecliff, which does have a history of illegal camps, was not occupied this year.

“The little evidence available does therefore suggest that the enhancements have had the effect of deterring encampments at some locations,” he said.

“Nevertheless, the number of encampments this year is comparable to the previous two years.”

There were 16 in 2014 with a clean-up cost of £73,000 and 14 in 2013, 15 in 2012 and a low of only four in 2011. The average length of stay was 7.1 days and the average number of caravans 8.3.

But some locations suffered encampments for the first time this year, including Christopher Crescent, Sterte Park, Hatchards rec and the Creekmoor park and ride, which was last used many years ago.

“Travellers went to considerable lengths to breach the defences at the park and ride and Baiter Park.

“The available evidence does therefore point to probable displacement to some other locations as a result of the enhanced security measures,” he said.