LEGAL action to evict unauthorised encampments across the conurbation hit a three-year high this summer – but council chiefs have ruled out pursuing a transit site.

BCP Council went to court on 15 occasions to obtain powers to remove vehicles and property from land between the start of April up to the end of September.

Seven of these applications were withdrawn on the day of the hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court as the encampments had already vacated the site, while the other eight applications were all granted by the bench.

The local authority went to court over encampments in Alumhurst Road car park, Redhill Park, Bargates car park, King’s Park, Strouden Park, Honeysuckle Way in Christchurch, Baiter Park, Wallisdown Recreation Ground, Banks Road car park, Ravine Road car park, Branksome Recreation Ground and Poole Stadium car park.

As reported, encampments at King’s Park led to Bournemouth parkrun being cancelled twice. Further encampment sites have been reported this summer, such as Meyrick Park, but these were vacated before a court process was pursued.

Across the whole of 2019, BCP Council went to court over six encampments, while last year it pursued legal powers from magistrates in eight cases.

Cllr May Haines, BCP Council portfolio holder for community safety, said: “The number of unauthorised encampments experienced can fluctuate from year to year due to a variety of reasons, including Covid, weather conditions and local events. The decision on whether to apply to the court to remove any encampment depends on the location, impact on the local community, length of stay and size of the encampment. Often, groups will leave the site before a court hearing date.

“BCP Council continues to manage all unauthorised encampments in line with legislation and works with partners including the police and homeless charities to reduce the impact on residents from such encampments.’’

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns told the Daily Echo: “The government has indicated for a long time that they intend to amend regulation and law to bring the balance back towards local communities and to manage the impact of the disruption caused by illegal encampments and trespass.

“I am continuing to engage with colleagues in parliament to see that commitment delivered upon.

“What people want locally from their local authorities and police is swift action to move illegal encampments on.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said there are no plans in place to introduce dedicated transit sites and the authority will continue to work with key stakeholders, police and Traveller community in developing any future recommendations.

The only existing transit sites in the county are in the Dorset Council area in Piddlehinton between April and August and in Blandford in August only.

Betty Smith-Billington, chair of Dorset-based charity Kushti Bok, said BCP Council had committed to look again at negotiated stopping. This involves water, toilet and rubbish collection facilities being made available at a site, with a contract signed to confirm an agreed leaving date and for the site to be kept tidy.

“They (the council) are listening and it is on their agenda but at the moment they are looking at negotiated stopping again – that’s a start,” she said. “They previously ruled out negotiated stopping but now it is being revisited. It would be a good option for them. At the moment there is nothing in place.”

Yesterday, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller campaigners united in Manchester in their ongoing efforts to speak out in opposition to Home Secretary Priti Patel’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. If passed, the bill would give police powers to seize caravans and other property and would also see trespass change from a civil to a criminal offence.

Ms Smith-Billington said she really hopes the bill does not go through, adding that she fears it could destroy the Traveller way of life.