A NEW policy aimed at tackling illegal traveller camps was criticised today for not being tough enough.

A series of invasions by travellers and gypsies in the Weymouth area prompted borough council chiefs to draw up new measures to tackle illegal camps.

But the policy, which is being introduced following calls from the community, is overshadowed by the Human Rights Act which can delay eviction proceedings.

The Act requires authorities to take into account the travellers' personal situation and consider their needs.

Councillors argue that without strict changes in the law any current policy will have no teeth.

The Government has indicated that increased powers for councils are likely to become available but only if traveller sites and facilities are provided.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's environment conservation committee will be urged to approve the draft protocol for responding to unauthorised travelling encampments when they meet on Monday.

But it has already come under heavy fire from Coun Andy Hutchings, a campaigner on behalf of residents affected by travellers. He said: "This document is too long winded and has no teeth.

"What we really need to see is a change in the law which can help local authorities deal with travellers quickly and effectively.

"It's all very well drawing up policies, but when we have to have regard for the Human Rights Act the victims usually turn out to be the residents of Weymouth and Portland who have to put up with these people."

The document says that the council must pay special regard to the needs of 'vulnerable' travellers and details the lengthy course of action for eviction.

Grounds for eviction could be when a camp causes a nuisance, impacts on the community, or causes damage to the environment.

Travellers should also be mindful of the new 'code of conduct', the document says.

The environment conservation committee will also be asked to consider the Dorset County Council gypsy and traveller policy which seeks to 'balance the rights and needs of resident communities with those of gypsies and travellers' and the proposed joint protocol between Dorset Police and local authorities.

Coun Hutchings has requested that the committee also sees information detailing the management of recent traveller camps in Weymouth.

Richard Burgess, the borough council's director of environmental services, says in a report to the committee: "Events over the last few summers leads one inevitably to the conclusion that traveller problems are not going to go away.

"Equally there is no way that we can make all council land absolutely traveller proof.

"There is a permanent population of 'new travellers' in Dorset who have educational and other needs.

"Unless some provision for this is made our chances of successful enforcement against unauthorised encampments will be undermined."

He says additional resources should be provided for the county council's traveller and gypsy liaison team and questions 'whether other apparently prosperous' traveller groups should merit special provision.