AN UNAUTHORISED traveller camp on the grounds of a leisure centre in Poole was served an eviction notice by police at the weekend.

Police received a report of an encampment on the car park and playing field at Rossmore Leisure Centre in Herbert Avenue at 10.22pm on Saturday, May 21.

Officers attended the site and found caravans already in situ.

Following liaison with local partners, an eviction notice was served under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 ordering the group to leave the site.

The group left the site just before 6.10pm on Sunday, May 22. 

Inspector Helen Deakin, of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Policing Area, said: “We have received a number of calls from concerned members of the community relating to this unauthorised encampment and we are aware of the potential disruption this could cause with exams due to begin next week.

“As a result, we have taken swift and robust action to clear the site so it can be used by the community. I would like to thank the community for their patience while this took place."

Inspector Deakin added: “We are aware that there are a number of unauthorised traveller encampments across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and I would like to reassure the public that we are monitoring them all and will take action where necessary.”

A short time later, police were called to an unauthorised encampment at Hamworthy Park.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 6.44pm on Sunday 22 May 2022 to a report of an unauthorised traveller encampment at Hamworthy Park car park off Lulworth Avenue in Poole.

"The group left the area shortly afterwards at around 7.30pm."