A party leader has called on the council to act now after numerous traveller incursions this summer.

Hertsmere Labour leader and Kenilworth ward councillor Jeremy Newmark has written to the leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Morris Bright, and demanded the council delivers “swifter and firmer preventative and enforcement measures”.

Over the summer, caravans have pitched up in a number of parks in Borehamwood; travellers remain in Ripon Park and Brook Meadow. Parks and land across Bushey were also camped upon.

Following an encampment in Brook Meadow yesterday, there have been 14 traveller incursions in Hertsmere this summer.

Cllr Newmark says the council should be seeking a borough-wide court order enabling immediate enforcement action and adds that CCTV should be enhanced at a number of sites to deter criminal damage, fly tipping, and threatening behaviour.

He has also called on bollards to be installed at parks, pointing towards the measures that have been put in place at Bushey Country Club to stop traveller encroachment after the golf club shut as well as in Park Avenue.

Cllr Newmark said: “Whilst I believe in the rights of the 'traveller community' to live the way of life that they choose and feel that there is much to be celebrated in 'traveller' culture, it is clear that the particular groups who have been in Borehamwood this summer have behaved in a deeply problematic manner.

“I have been contacted by a number of people who feel they have not had sufficient or acceptable responses from the council. That is why I am calling upon the Tory leadership of our Council to deliver swifter and firmer preventative and enforcement measures against what is becoming an all too regular occurrence.”

The council says it is in discussions to extend the programme to install bollards across the whole borough.

Cllr Seamus Quilty, responsible for the environment, said: “Council officers have responded promptly to each incursion using a well-established legal process. We will continue to look at options for borough-wide orders but know that these are both costly and complex legally.

“We are also continuing to look at all options to make it more difficult for these incursions to take place in the future. The bollards we have installed are robust and a real deterrent. Discussions are currently taking place about funding to extend the programme to other sites in the borough.”