TRAVELLERS have moved on from an unauthorised encampment at a recreation ground in Bournemouth.

Police received multiple calls over the group of at least a dozen vehicles which moved onto Slades Farm in Ensbury Park on Friday afternoon.

Residents reported seeing members of the group move rocks to gain access to the site.

Concerns were raised over the impact the encampment would have on events planned to take place at Slades Farm this weekend.

Dorset Police said the force was first called at 3.24pm on May 20. When officers attended the site they found caravans already in situ, a police spokesperson said.

Following discussions with BCP Council, police sought an eviction notice under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 that would have required the group to leave the site.

Officers continued to liaise with those present and the group left the area by 8pm prior to the notice being served, the spokesperson added.

Inspector Nick Lee, of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole neighbourhood enforcement team, said: “We have received a number of calls from members of the community who were concerned about the potential interruption to events that were set to take place on the site over the weekend.

“I would like to reassure the public that we took swift action to ensure the area could be used by the community.”

The response by authorities continues with the change in approach seen in the conurbation this year with swifter measures taken through eviction notice power rather than the slower process of going through the courts.

BCP Council leader Cllr Drew Mellor and Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick promised a "more impactful" approach.

At present the BCP Council area does not have a transit site to direct people to. This is one of the options used by other local authorities when responding to unauthorised encampments on council land.