TRAVELLERS have reportedly caused damage to a public park after being told to leave.

Local authorities confirmed an unauthorised encampment was set up at Meyrick Park on Sunday, May 19.

Dorset Police served the group a notice, requiring them to leave the site by 10am on Tuesday, May 21.

Residents reported that in 48 hours, the travellers damaged Oakmedians Rugby Club's pitches.

Jo Keeling is a concerned parent whose son plays rugby at Meyrick Park and husband also coaches a rugby team.

She said: "They left behind a trail of mess, through driving round erratically and doing wheel spins on the grass.

"The whole community is upset and enraged by what's happened."

Jo said the situation arose due to unsecure gates at the park, which 'have not been adequately reinforced, despite concerns raised with the council.'

She added: "It is unacceptable that the rugby club, which is built on its members' hard work and dedication, should bear the financial burden of restoring the pitches.

"BCP Council need to take action to prevent these incidents from happening in the future.

This includes reinforcing the gates, installing CCTV cameras, and ensuring regular patrols by local authorities.

"Without these measures, the club remains vulnerable to further vandalism, jeopardising its ability to serve the community."

A committee member at Oakmedians RFC, who has asked to remain anonymous, said they witnessed the damage first-hand.

They said: "It's going to cost a lot of money to fix the pitches. They've gone an inch deep with tyre marks, just whizzing around in one spot.

"We are a massive asset to the community. Every Sunday, over 300 children come here for training. We also have the largest girls' rugby section in Dorset. 

"Additionally, we welcome ex-servicemen to use the clubhouse free of charge.

"When something like this happens, it just sets us back so far. It's difficult for our members to keep going when they are not getting support from the council."

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “The gates to access Meyrick Park are secured by protected locks, but unfortunately this encampment used a grinder or similar to gain access onto the site - which is very difficult to protect against.

“The use of this type of tool does mean that gates and barriers are able to be cut through with force to gain access.

“Following an unauthorised encampment at Meyrick Park last year, we did a considerable amount of work to close off the access route used on that occasion, using boulders.

“However, we are unable to close off every single entrance to sports sites such as Meyrick Park in the same way, as access is needed at all times for emergency vehicles and for maintenance purposes.

“For the unauthorised encampment on 20th May, we actioned our response as the group were gaining access - working with our policing partners who were on site immediately. The group were then evicted from the site via a Section 61 that evening.

“Our assessment shows the damage to the grass to be superficial and our team will be liasing with the Oakmeadian rugby club to discuss repairs to this.

“After any unauthorised encampment, the security of the site is reviewed.”