23-05-2025
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.'
