BOLTON is not a hotspot for illegal traveller encampments, residents have been reassured.

Town hall chiefs say that the borough does not have a significant problem with travellers when compared to other local authorities.

In 2016/17 a total of 28 illegal camps were reported in Bolton — compared to 150 in Leicester, 120 in Leeds, and 77 in Warrington. So far this financial year, there have been 15, but eight of those can be attributed to the same three groups.

The council has been inundated with complaints this summer about camps in locations such as the Hulton Lane playing fields, Farnworth’s Doe Hey Park, and Barlow Park in Sharples. However, council officers say that the issue is not an increase in the number of camps, but that the groups are staying for longer than in previous years.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “It is an emotive issue from all sides and councillors want a solution as well as residents. But it is not an easy issue to resolve.

“There are a large amount of travellers on the road at any one time. Looking at the statistics comparing Bolton to other towns, it is clear we do not get the same number of groups coming here as elsewhere.

“However, we do realise that it does create upset with the local community and most of that is regarding the way that groups behave when they are here.

“We appreciate residents patience and that they continue to provide the council with information.

“The council is always working with other agencies to adopt best practice and revisiting elements of what we can do.”

There is an estimated traveller population of 300,000 in the UK, with around 75,000 of those on the move at any one time.

The council does not currently have any plans to add to its one designated travellers site in Moses Gate.

Other local councils have set up ‘transit sites’ that travellers are encouraged to use and Bolton officers have looked at the pros and cons of such spaces.

However, there are fears that establishing such a site could lead to additional maintenance costs and also encourage more travellers to come to Bolton.

Last month, Cllr Sherrington urged residents not to use the services offered by members of the travelling community — because many are here for business purposes only.

She said: “If the public started using businesses in Bolton instead of them then they might decide to go somewhere else rather than come to Bolton.”

From 2014/15 to 2016/17, £8,525 was spent on legal costs and court fees to remove travellers in Bolton. Clean-up costs are not available as the council does not record them separately.