DORSET councils say they are doing all they can to stop illegal traveller camps as new guidance was issued by the government yesterday.

The Department of Communities and Local Government outlined the legal powers councils and landowners have to remove unauthorised traveller sites, protest camps and squatters from both public and private land, as well as tackling the mess caused by the sites.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said councils should shut illegal camps down more quickly.

But Cllr Elaine Atkinson, leader at Borough of Poole, said the guidance offered no new powers.

She added: “We decide which powers are most appropriate on a site-by-site basis. Unfortunately we are hampered by not having a transit site available in Poole, but we do everything within the current powers to deal with unauthorised encampments.”

Cllr John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth council, said it had been “robust” in protecting public spaces and there had been fewer camps in the borough this year.

“Our strict safeguarding, inhospitable attitude and better defences should help residents feel reassured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to ensure they are inconvenienced as little as possible,” he said.

Cllr Hilary Cox, environment portfolio holder at Dorset County Council, also said the new guidance did not give councils any powers they did not already have.

She added: “The only difference between councils and private landowners is as local authorities we have a duty of care to all citizens, residents and visitors.

“A private landowner can go to court and get an injunction quicker. It’s an added burden and an added cost, it slows the process down.”

Joseph Jones, chairman of the Gypsy Council, said Mr Pickles was creating tensions and called for more legal sites.

Mr Pickles said: “We’ve strengthened councils’ powers so they have the confidence to take decisive action. Too often, council officers wash their hands and say nothing can be done.”

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