AUTHORITIES will take a "more impactful stance" towards unauthorised encampments this summer, a council leader has vowed.
Summers across the conurbation has seen residents experience a multitude of encampments at various car parks and open spaces.
The approach taken to deal with such incidents has involved the council going to court to secure an order for people to move on from a site.
As the summer season approaches, Cllr Drew Mellor, BCP Council leader, sought to assure residents that authorities were exploring all options available to them, including Dorset Police exercising powers available to the force's officers.
In a recent live Facebook broadcast, Cllr Mellor said he was working with police and crime commissioner for Dorset David Sidwick to ensure there is a "joined up approach" between the council and Dorset Police.
"We want to support each other with a higher level of deterrent and intervention around anti-social behaviour in any form and that definitely incorporates unauthorised and unlawful encampments," said Cllr Mellor.
Last year saw the number of court orders secured by BCP Council relating to unauthorised encampments hit a three-year high.
Cllr Mellor added: "We believe we are going to have a much more impactful stance this summer around unlawful, unauthorised encampments, which is what we believe residents are telling us we need to do as a council and David Sidwick as the police and crime commissioner."
He said this could involve police using Section 61 powers under the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994.
This law gives police the power to direct an encampment to leave once the landowner has made reasonable steps to remove the occupants, and is certain conditions are met.
These conditions are that there must be two or more trespassers on land with the common purpose of residing and they have with them six or more vehicles, or damage to the land or property on the land has been caused, or used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the occupier, a member of his family or an employee or agent of his.
At present, unauthorised encampments in the BCP Council area cannot face Section 62A powers under the same act as there is no transit site set up in the local authority's jurisdiction, unlike Dorset Council.
BCP Council has previously had to go to court after serving a direction to those involved in the unauthorised encampment to move on. This process can take several days, much to the frustration of residents in the area around the encampments.
Police becoming involved through Section 61 would be a change in approach in the county.
Mr Sidwick said: “There are robust plans in place to deal with unauthorised encampments in Dorset and I will continue to work with both BCP and Dorset councils to ensure that there is a good level of effective partnership working and support from a policing point of view.
“I have said in the past that I am supportive of legislation that resolves the issues surrounding unauthorised encampments and indeed there are existing police powers to evict people from unauthorised encampments, as provided for by Sections 61 and 62 A-E, Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994. Both of these powers are important safeguards for the settled community and I support Dorset Police in their use.
“I ask that all residents and visitors respect each other and help protect the county’s environment.”
Stay up to date with all the latest community news across Dorset with our dedicated Facebook group. Click here to find out more and join.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article