TREES have been chopped down and set on fire at a park in Bournemouth.

Residents are in an uproar after Meyrick Park became the target of further vandalism, attributed to a 'lack of security at the park.'

A dog walker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Trees have been chopped down, the pitch has been turfed up, and rubbish has been dumped."

There were reports of open fires set close to the unauthorised encampment, which appeared in the park for the second time this month.

Dorset Police confirmed a report of an unauthorised encampment in Meyrick Park in Bournemouth at 5:14 p.m. on Monday, May 27, 2024.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Officers proactively engaged with those present as well as the local authority.

"As a result of this work, the group was served with a notice under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, requiring them to leave, which they did on Wednesday, May 29."

Jane Hart, a committee member at Oakmeadians Rugby Club, said there were multiple fires, and an air ambulance found it 'tricky to land' due to the limited space.

Bournemouth Echo: Air ambulance lands at Meyrick Park

Jane said: "These issues are really impacting the club. We had Maisie Allen from the Red Roses there last night, and we were almost on the verge of cancelling her."

The Oakmedians Rugby Club is pleading for increased security at Meyrick Park to prevent future unauthorised encampments.

The club is fundraising to purchase height barrier gates to stop vehicles from gaining access to the park.

Jane added: "If these groups came for a few days and were more respectful, it wouldn't be such an issue. But as it is, there is rubbish left behind, trees cut down, and great big divots in the pitches."

A BCP Council spokesperson said: "We have done a significant amount of work over recent years to make accessing sites like Meyrick Park harder.

"Unfortunately, despite the measures put in place, some groups are determined to gain access to certain sites and have been known to use grinders and large plant equipment to do so.

"This is extremely difficult to protect against. Security of Meyrick Park is under review, and options are being considered to make forced entry to this site more difficult."