COUNCILLORS are calling for security measures to be stepped up after travellers set up temporary home on a Bournemouth nature reserve during the weekend.

Families were seen arriving at Stour Valley nature reserve, near the Cherry Tree Nursery, on Saturday morning.

Residents contacted local councillors following reports that a metal gate had been damaged to gain access to the site.

Cllr Roger West said: “What is sad about this camp is that this was so predictable because it has happened before.

“This site is vulnerable but so are the employees of Cherry Tree and we could do much more to protect them.”

It appeared the bolts holding the gate had been unscrewed.

“This enabled the lowering and opening of the gate so the travellers could just drive in,” he claimed.

In correspondence to council leader Cllr Peter Charon, Cllr West asked: “Can you please give the financial resources necessary to make access to this site and our other vulnerable sites at least a bit more difficult?”

Cllr Ron Whittaker said: “Here we go again with another unauthorised encampment.

“This was only discussed at last Saturday’s Kinson Area Forum where it was pointed out that these gates were far from sufficient, with one padlock to stop travellers entering.”

In an email to Cllr Whittaker, the borough’s senior parks patrol officer Edward Baker said the travellers had been given “a preliminary needs audit” after refusing to leave the nature reserve.

He added: “I will be talking to our legal team first thing Monday morning to ensure that we start the eviction process as soon as possible.

“As they are on a nature reserve we should be able to get an abridged hearing for early next week.”