I HAVE read the letter from Martyn Underhill (Daily Echo, Thursday, August 30) and would like to set the record straight.

According to the association of Chief Police Officers the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the Police to account.

Quite remarkable then that at a time of great distress for the residents of Muscliffe when a group of “lawless” travellers invade their community, the Dorset Commissioner turns his back on the residents and decides to support the Police with their flawed interpretation of the law when dealing with the eviction of travellers.

Despite the local Council, the local Community and the local MPs (with the support of fellow Government minsters) all urging the Police to take action using section 61 powers, Mr Underhill still decides to side with the Chief Constable who seeks to take the easy way out and leave the travellers in situ.

Even after the most atrocious anti social behaviour, including urinating in public, out of control children, noisy parties until the early hours, local families intimidated and vehicles being driven recklessly around the park, the Police still find it acceptable to take no action.

Mr Underhill goes on to criticise Bournemouth Council for taking no action and lacking political will in trying to find a permanent transit site in the Borough. I am sure he is aware that the Council has undertaken extensive consultation examining various possibilities in recent years.

As long ago as 2009 the Council examined a number of sites, all of which were ruled out as being unsuitable. Later, in 2011 we undertook extensive consultation on a further 4 shortlisted sites. The plan generated 9,500 comments and petitions totalling some 6,400 signatures. The overwhelming majority of comments received objected to the proposed sites. I challenge Mr Underhill to find a suitable site in Bournemouth which is acceptable to the local community and if he does I assure him we will give the matter further consideration.

Mr Underhill then suggests that since budgets have got tighter Bournemouth Council have reduced security measures across the town and that is why we are seeing more encampments. I assure him, and the residents of Bournemouth, nothing could be further from the truth.

Our dedicated staff will continue to do all they can to try and ensure that the law-abiding residents of Bournemouth can live their lives in peace without being intimidated by lawless travellers. It would be very helpful if Dorset Police could support us.

CLLR DAVID SMITH

Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Planning, Bournemouth Council

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