Action taken in response to report of unauthorised encampment in Ferndown
Dorset Police has worked with partner agencies to take action in response to reports of an unauthorised traveller encampment in Ferndown.
A report was received on Monday 26 April 2022 making the Force aware of an unauthorised encampment in the area of Boundary Lane in St Leonards.
Following liaison with local partners, those responsible for the site and those present, the group was issued with an order under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, requiring them to leave the site on the morning of Friday 6 May 2022.
Further reports were received on the morning of Friday 6 May 2022 that the group had relocated to a nearby site in the area of Holmwood Park close to a residential area.
Dorset Police has received a number of complaints relating to issues such as anti-social behaviour and littering. The Force took positive action to liaise with the local authority and, through powers under Section 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, issued the group with an eviction notice on the afternoon of Friday 6 May 2022, requiring them to leave the site and relocate to a designated local authority site.
Officers attended the Holmwood Park site on the afternoon of Friday 6 May 2022 to ensure that the order was complied with.
Superintendent Dean O’Connor, of the Dorset County Local Policing Area, said: “We have responded to the concerns that have been raised by the local community in relation to this unauthorised encampment and have taken positive action in liaison with our local partners.
“We have taken robust action to ensure the impact of this unlawful encampment was minimised and the group was promptly moved on. We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during this process.”
