Six caravans of travellers next to school

WELFARE checks will be carried out for travellers who have set up an encampment next to a school, BCP Council has said.

Six units, comprising caravans and associated vans, set up camp on land off Blandford Close, Hamworthy, next to Cornerstone Academy and Hamworthy United football ground.

It’s understood police are aware of the presence, according to residents, and the Echo asked for more details from the force on Sunday morning.

A spokeswoman for BCP Council said the authority will “continue to monitor the site and support the group as needed”.

She added: “Our staff have liaised with the group to carry out the statutory welfare and educational needs assessment, along with any necessary risk assessments to determine the level of support to be given to the group.”

This is the second time an encampment has been spotted on the ground near Hamworthy football club in recent weeks.

On Thursday, April 11, the police were made aware of an unauthorised encampment behind the stadium.

Two units were found and BCP Council staff attended the site to carry out the statutory welfare and educational needs assessment.