SECURITY has been stepped up at North Bournemouth nature reserves after travellers tried to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons.

Earlier this month council officers foiled attempts to set up unauthorised encampments on both commons before travellers moved onto a field at Duck Lane, West Howe.

The group left piles of rubble and rubbish, along with a £4,000 clean-up bill, before cutting the locks and moving onto a field opposite Pelhams Park leisure centre last weekend.

The earliest date Bournemouth council can obtain an eviction order is Monday.

Gary Josey, the council’s service director for parks, confirmed that attempts had been made to gain access to Kinson and Turbary Commons on June 12 and June 13.

He added: “We understand the importance of guarding these sites and are taking measures to ensure they remain protected.

“Our officers were successful in protecting Kinson and Turbary Commons and they are monitoring all North Bournemouth nature reserve sites daily and undertaking works to improve and strengthen defences.”

Geoff Budden, chairman of the Friends of Kinson Common, has voiced fears that Bournemouth’s nature reserves are at risk from traveller invasions. In a letter to council leader John Beesley he said: “We are very lucky to have ten local nature reserves and it now appears these sites are at great risk.

“Kinson and Turbary Commons are sites of special scientific interest and both have wetlands of international importance and grazing animals. Thanks to the vigilance of the public and council staff, attempts to gain entry to these special sites were unsuccessful.

“Imagine what could have happened had the ponies or cattle been released.”

Mr Budden called for a change in the law to ensure that travellers picked up the bill for the damage they caused, adding: “I know that if I were to gain entry to a council property I would almost certainly be prosecuted.

“As a council taxpayer I am astounded that travellers are seemingly above the law – a view widely shared.”