DORSET Police insists there are 'robust plans' to deal with unauthorised encampments over the summer - as they said they were forced to use relevant powers to move along groups of travellers that set up unlawful camps over the bank holiday weekend.

Dorset Police officers have asked residents and visitors to respect each other after they were called to tackle two unauthorised encampments at 'key community locations' in Weymouth and Bridport.

At around 6.30pm on May 28, officers were called to reports of a group of travellers at Weymouth Rugby Club. They attended and spoke to the group, before monitoring the incident overnight.

The next day, Dorset Police went back to the rugby club, while the local authority made the alternative site at Piddlehinton available.

While officers were at the site, the group left and relocated to the Marsh Swimming Pool area at around midday.

Police issued a notice under section 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act requiring the group to leave the site by 10.30am on May 30 to the approved alternative site in Piddlehinton. The group moved out of the Dorset local authority area by the stated time.

At around 7.50am the following morning, the police received a report of an authorised traveller encampment at the Bridport Leisure Centre. Following discussion with the local authority and the leisure centre, officers gave the group a section 62 direction to vacate the site.

Over the weekend, separate unauthorised encampments were also reported at Swannery car park and the Nothe, but officers permitted them to stay.

Dorset County Local Police Area (LPA) Commander Chief Superintendent Steve Lyne, of Dorset Police, said: "Having listened to the various groups involved and considering the various parties' rights, officers worked alongside colleagues at Dorset Council to move on these groups from key community locations using the available and relevant powers.

"The decision was also made to allow two smaller encampments to remain as there was no impact on the local community and they have worked with the local authority on the site, including buying parking tickets.

"We have robust plans in place to deal with unauthorised encampments throughout the summer months and we continue to ask residents and visitors to respect each other and help protect the county's environment."

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "Our gypsy and traveller liaison service is working with Dorset Police, liaising with travellers and landowners to provide advice and support to landowners and the settled community.

"We also act as a first point of contact for travellers for health, housing and education issues.

"Our transit site at Piddlehinton can provide a solution to unauthorised encampments and enable the police to use particular powers. We ask everyone to be respectful and look after our county."