
Watch: Community rugby pitch destroyed after travellers set up camp
A community rugby pitch has been churned up by a driver performing a series of handbrake turns at speed.
The unknown vandal was recorded driving a blue hatchback across the turf, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage by doing 'doughnuts' on Wednesday.
The pitch in Meyrick Park, Dorset, is home to Oakmeadians Rugby Club and is used for summer activities including children's clubs.
A large group of caravans belonging to travellers can be seen in the background of the video.
The travellers reportedly removed large boulders which acted as barriers to gain access to the park in Bournemouth.
An Oakmeadians spokesman said: 'We are sadly faced with the harsh reality of thousands of pounds worth of damage to our beloved pitches at Meyrick Park after a recent encampment set up here.
'This damage occurred in less than 48 hours. This is by far the worst we have had to deal with over the years and now we as a club are solely responsible for funding and orchestrating the clear up.
'We are gutted beyond words.'
Members of the rugby club called the police who were able to move the travellers on within 24 hours using a Section 61 dispersal notice.
The travellers also allegedly felled a tree during at the park, which also has a golf course, bowls club and is a favourite of young families.
Club members took to social media to voice their anger at the pitch being 'disrespected and vandalised'.
Jo Keeling said: 'So sorry to hear about the damage at Meyrick Park. It's infuriating and deeply upsetting to see our rugby club disrespected and vandalised.
'The hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the club deserve much better than this. It's disheartening to think that in less than 48 hours, years of effort and thousands of pounds worth of value can be destroyed.'
Others called on the police and council to do more to stop the vandalism. Chris Hawkins said: 'So, where are the police and the local council?'
The club foresees having to spend a four-figure sum to repair the damage to the pitch.
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: 'Dorset Police was made aware of an unauthorised encampment and anti-social driving that caused minor damage at Meyrick Park in Bournemouth.
'Following consultation with the 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 continued to monitor the situation to ensure the notice was complied with and there were no further reports of anti-social behaviour in the area. The group left Meyrick Park on Thursday 22 May, 2025.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken family of 'murdered' mother-of-three, 32, pay tribute as two more men are arrested and police find gold suitcase
The heartbroken family of a mother-of-three have spoken of their 'unimaginable' loss after two more men have been arrested as part of a murder investigation. Samantha Murphy, 32, was found at a house in Portsmouth on Thursday, June 5, at around at 7.37am with police treating her death as murder. A total of four men have been arrested in connection with her death as police continue to investigate. After finding her body, police appealed for help to locate a gold suitcase which they said they were 'keen to locate' and 'may assist with the investigation'. It has now been confirmed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary that the suitcase has been found. A 30-year-old man from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 41-year-old man from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Two other men, a 32-year-old from Petersfield and a 32-year-old from Havant, who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on conditional bail until September 5. In a tribute released through Hampshire Constabulary, Ms Murphy's family described her as a 'bright, smiling soul' who 'radiated joy to everyone she met'. The tribute, made by Ms Murphy's sister on behalf of her family and friends, read: 'She was a devoted mother to her three beautiful children, the bubbly baby sister who brought laughter and light to her siblings, and the fun-loving auntie who adored her nieces and nephews. 'Sam was the friend everyone went to for advice and a compassionate ear. 'Our gracious host at Halloween and Christmas, Sam's home was always filled with warmth and cheer. 'She was strong-willed and determined, yet her kindness shone through, always quick to see the good in everyone.' Her family said she 'loved her music and dancing' and that she was the 'life and soul of every party'. The tribute continued: 'Her singing voice, especially when she belted out her version of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black, never failed to draw admiration and applause. 'That mischievous and cheeky spirit she had as the youngest sister never faded; it was part of her charm, alongside her quirky little laugh, which continued to delight us into adulthood. 'Her loss has left an immense void. 'For her mother, it's not just the loss of a daughter, but of a best friend and constant companion. 'Her brother and sisters, whose bond with Sam was so rare and special, are utterly devastated by this unimaginable absence. 'We take comfort in knowing Sam would want her family and friends to pull together, ensuring her children are always protected and surrounded with the love she so generously gave. 'Love from your mum Denise, your three beautiful children, older sisters Louise, Jodie and Kelly, big brother Carl and brother-in-law Ollie, your wonderful friends Marissa, Emma and Charlene, and from your dad Phillip.' Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jody Beresford said: 'We understand that this incident is both shocking and devastating to all those who knew Samantha, and we are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances. 'We would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding whilst we have been carrying out inquiries in the area. 'As part of our inquiries, we appealed for help in locating a gold suitcase. 'We can confirm this has now been found and we would like to thank everyone who contacted us with information.'


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Inverness priest's car targeted by vandals
Vandals left a priest's car unusable after throwing about 30 stones at the vehicle while it was parked overnight at an Inverness Domenico Zanré was planning to visit parishioners at the weekend when he discovered the windscreen, windows and bodywork said the vandalism likely occurred overnight Friday into Saturday, and believed it was an "act of mindless violence" and not Domenico told BBC News Scotland: "It was heart-breaking to see it. Once I got over the shock I was just thinking about all the people I had to go and see." The car was parked at St Columba's Roman Catholic Church in Domenico said he found about 30 large stones on the ground next to the vehicle. He was unable to drive the car because of the smashed windscreen and windows, and he was prevented from visiting several parishioners."People who were quite vulnerable or in very poor health, and at least one person who is towards the end of life," he said."I felt slightly powerless, and that I had let them down." Police Scotland said it was aware of the incident and its inquiries were at an early stage.


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Austria school shooting: Gun shots heard in classroom as armed police storm building to rescue students
Footage has captured the moment gun shots can be heard inside a classroom at a school in Austria, before armed police stormed the building to rescue students inside. This video shows officers evacuating terrified pupils following a mass shooting at the school in Dreierschuetzengasse in the city of Graz shortly before 10am on Tuesday (10 June). Police confirmed nine victims had been killed, and the perpetrator was also dead. Police said there was only one shooter involved. At least 28 others were injured in the rampage. Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker said there were no words to describe the pain being felt across the country following the attack.