RINGWOOD Town Council has increased their security measures at Carvers Recreation Ground following the recent traveller encampment at the site.

At a meeting of the recreation, leisure and open spaces committee on Wednesday, town clerk Terry Simpson listed a number of steps that had been taken to improve protection at the recreation ground.

These include welding shut the Collins Road gate at Carvers and ensuring all other gates had shrouded locks and ensuring height restriction posts had been put into place at Poulner Lakes and shortly at Carvers.

Cllr Richard Frampton had also dug out the ditch at the Bickerley and the groundsmen had installed “dragons teeth” with more likely to follow.

Reminders had also been issued to the football and rugby clubs who use the site about the importance of securing the gates.

A full report on the expenditure and future proposals would be made to the policy and finance committee.

Cllr Steve Rippon-Swaine also commented on the “deplorable” fact that the local police had been helpful, but apparently overruled by more senior Hampshire Police officers.

When the travellers arrived at the recreation ground more than two weeks ago, the town council criticised Hampshire Police for failing to remove the travellers using a Section 61 order.

The order gives power to move travellers parked on school grounds and places used by children within 24 hours.

But Hampshire Police said the section 61 was not appropriate in this situation and advised the council on other methods.