SOUTHAMPTON Itchen MP John Denham has called on police to get tough with a group of travellers who have been camped in the city for the past two weeks.

Mr Denham, who resigned as a Home Office minister earlier this year, told the Daily Echo that the police could issue antisocial behaviour orders against travellers who left litter.

He called on Southampton police to use the new powers so that travellers who left a mess behind could have criminal proceedings taken against them.

He said: "I think it is important that the changes that I put in the Police Bill in 2001 are used against travellers who behave in the way this group have.

"You can now put antisocial behaviour orders on them. If that order is now breached, then they can face prosecution."

But a police spokeswoman said that the amount of time that it took to issue an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) would have made it impractical in this case, adding: "Obviously, legally applying for an ASBO is an option where nuisance is being caused. However, due to the significant amount of time it takes to collate a significant body of evidence to apply for an ASBO it is not a suitable solution to deal with people from the travelling community."

The travellers were evicted from common land in Southampton last week. Later, police officers served families camped at Highfield Avenue with a special notice which made their occupation of the site illegal.

The families left the site only to split up and move elsewhere.

It is understood that seven caravans from the original 12 have moved on to fields next to St Mark's Primary School in Shirley.

At first it was thought the field belonged to Southampton's Ordnance Survey but it is now understood that it belongs to the Civil Service Sports Council.

A Southampton City Council spokesman acknowledged the concerns of residents and parents about the presence of the travellers but added that it was hoped they would move on in the next few days. He said: "The City Council understands the concerns people have with travellers and we are very aware that with a school in close proximity there is a potential for problems to emerge.

"However, this group of travellers have behaved very responsibly. They are keeping their site clean and have indicated they will move on within a few days."