Travellers have wreaked havoc on a beautiful British beach hotspot with residents telling GB News of their fears in relation to safety, sanitation and access to public spaces.
The People’s Channel investigated how a corner of Bournemouth has been impacted after being told that a group of travellers had set up an “anti-social” enclave on the Jurassic Coast.
One woman, who has lived on a road that backs onto the encampment for 30 years, said the appearance of travellers “seems to be an annual event”.
She added: “It’s a completely anti-social scenario. We just have to wait until they leave and then it’s our job to clean up after them.”
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Residents in a beautiful British beach hotspot have told GB News that travellers illegally encamping at a local park have wreaked havoc across the area
A local parkrun source told GB News: “The course goes around the field where the travellers are, and there is always the risk of moving cars and caravans at any time during the event.
“All parkruns are run by volunteers who give up a lot of free time to put on the event so that hundreds of us can take part for free.”
In an update posted on social media on the morning of the event, Bournemouth Parkrun said: “Unfortunately, due to an illegal encampment on the course, we have to cancel this morning’s parkrun.”
Experienced runner and father Dave Goodyear told the People’s Channel: “It was a real shame that they were forced to cancel it. I live right by the park.”
Reacting to the encampment, local Labour MP Tom Hayes also said: “Enough is enough.”
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Hayes explained: “King’s Park is more than just beautiful green space on our doorsteps —it’s where children ride bikes and play, and neighbours walk their dogs and enjoy a stroll.
“When illegal encampments suddenly turn up, without permission, they disrespect our local green space.
“I’m also frustrated that a much-loved community event, the parkrun, was cancelled recently. It is a great way for the community to join together and stay healthy.
“I understand why organisers cancelled the parkrun – they never take these decisions lightly and put the safety of participants and volunteers first.
“There is a risk of cars and caravans moving at any time without notice. This is a real disappointment: park runs are run by volunteers who give up free time, so that hundreds of local people can take part for free.
“We all deserve to feel safe, respected, proud of the place we call home, and able to go about our everyday business.
“I want to assure you that I have expressed constituents’ concerns to the council and urged them to act.
“I am actively engaged in finding a solution that protects the park.
“That means seeking both immediate steps to manage the current situation and longer-term measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.”
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A large pile of tiles were also found abandoned near the site, which locals claim appeared the day the travellers left
However, locals have warned that the traveller encampment is turning parts of Bournemouth into a “no-go” zone.
One resident, whose garden backs onto the park, told the People’s Channel: “I’m scared to go, I don’t let my daughter walk through the park at night, and she’s 19.”
“It is not just the encampment that causes problems. Youths often use the site as a place to drink and listen to loud music, and there is not a lot we can do about it.
“I don’t know the answers, other than just to accept it and stay away.”
A second resident added: “I appreciate they need somewhere to go, but preferably not behind my garden. I believe [the council] can solve it. One of the arguments is that there isn’t a place for them to go.”
The park’s location is also problematic due to its close proximity to two primary schools.
Local primary school St James use the space for recreational activities, including hosting their annual sports day at King’s Park athletics ground, which requires children to walk through the park when arriving and leaving.
The area is also home to the Vitality Stadium, where Premier League side AFC Bournemouth play their home fixtures.
Park facilities include two children’s play areas, an outdoor and indoor bowling green, an athletics track, a skate park, a cricket field and a pavilion.
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Location of the traveller camp in Kings Park, Bournemouth
A Harewood Avenue resident said: “It’s frustrating because the council should be protecting the space for the community, and we’ve reported problems several times. It’s not just me on the street who feels this way, either.
“I walked the dog when they were there and the next day they had gone. And there was a big industrial-sized bin in the middle that looked like it had been set alight.
“Travellers force entry. They have to take down or demolish something to get in [the park] and then they use it as they will.
“The residents naturally look after each other, but it’s an ongoing thing. From my point of view, it’s a great park. We need more facilities and more for the community to use.”
Following consultation between the Police and relevant local partners, an eviction notice was issued under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, requiring the group to leave the site.
Officers from the neighbourhood policing team (NPT) said they continued to monitor the situation to ensure the notice was complied with and to reassure members of the local community.
Dorset Police officers attended the site at around 5pm on June 30 and confirmed that the group had left the site.
“Officers are committed to responding to reports of unauthorised encampments and working with local partners to take timely and proportionate action if required,” the force said.
Despite the convictions, residents fear that travelling communities will continue to use the space in the future if nothing is done to prevent entry.
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Upon leaving, the travellers reportedly moved to a neighbouring piece of land, causing further disruption
Upon leaving, the travellers reportedly moved to a neighbouring piece of land, causing further disruption.
Residents have complained about the amount of rubbish left in the park, which one claimed made the space unusable.
GB News also found smashed glass, cigarettes and used toilet paper when inspecting the site.
A large pile of tiles were also found abandoned near the site, which locals claim appeared the day the travellers left.
Another resident added: “It goes back a long time, when we had the incursions, including one at Christmas.
“This time they were right at the back of our garden and we ended up with stolen goods being dumped over the fence. It has been a recurring problem over the years.
“I think it’s appalling that they can get rid of these people, they’re not desirable and I think at the last incursion that we had, the council seemed quite happy just to let them stay there, which to me is wrong.
“I’ve witnessed an officer watching them come in, and he told me it’s better if they are here than somewhere else, which doesn’t help the people living around King’s Park.
“There are serious safety concerns for the children living in the area.”
One local said: “They were a bit antisocial, noise-wise and two of their vans were used to tip around five tons of waste in a protected woodland.
“They were moved on quite quickly, but it’s not particularly nice, and no one seems to do much about it.
“It’s not just the noise. There’s been vandalism, littering, and I’ve personally been confronted by a woman whilst walking my dog.”
A number of residents also claimed that asbestos had been found in the small woodland next to the park, raising additional concerns over health and safety.
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A resident said that there is a lack of consequences for people who illegally pitch up in public spaces
Another resident on the same road said that there is a lack of consequences for people who illegally pitch up in public spaces.
She added: “The council should have done more, they seem very inexperienced at dealing with this kind of situation, and it’s at the cost of the residents who live here.
“We feel like we can’t use the space when we want, and we should be able to. It’s on our doorstep.”
She told GB News that the street has created its own WhatsApp group to “forewarn people”, due to council failures.
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The area is also home to the Vitality Stadium, where Premier League side AFC Bournemouth play their home fixtures
Councillor Kieron Wilson, portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services at BCP Council, said: “The council remains committed to tackling unauthorised encampments and has a clear protocol in place working alongside Dorset Police.
“I understand that residents may feel anxious in these situations, and we always aim to keep people informed.
“We have tightened our joint protocols in response to learning, and I am confident that we will continue to prioritise public safety through reasonable and proportionate action.
“We are grateful for the dedication of our officers and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we continue to manage these complex and fast-moving situations.”
The council urged residents to report concerns relating to unauthorised encampments to parks@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01202 123432.
They added that any anti-social behaviour or criminal activity should be reported directly to the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
King’s Park is a short drive away from Bournemouth beach, which sees approximately seven million visitors per year, according to Bournemouth Tourism.
It is not the only location in the town to have reported experiencing troubles with illegal encampments.
Travellers moved into Bourne Valley Park in July, where Dorset Police issued them a notice of leave.
They then relocated to Redhill Park, located approximately a 10-minute drive from King’s Park, leaving the nature reserve with piles of litter, including empty beer bottles, discarded takeaway packaging, and broken plastic toys, according to reports.
