An injunction against unauthorised traveller encampments has been renewed for another year.

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) successfully applied to the High Court to extend the order against "persons unknown" until May next year.

The original order, granted in May last year which includes parts of Romsey, prohibited the setup of unauthorised traveller encampments in specific parts of the borough.

This included a five-year injunction against "persons known".

However, current case law dictates that only one-year orders should be made against "persons unknown."

The order, renewed on May 9 covers approximately 17 square miles, including the Alma Road car park in Romsey, Romsey Rapids, the Nursling and Rownhams hall and recreation ground, and all of Andover.

These areas have reportedly experienced significant problems over the years.

During her judgment, Her Honour Judge Richardson stated that the current order has been extremely effective in reducing the number of unauthorised encampments, the length of their stay, and the clean-up costs.

Councillor Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "I’m delighted that the order against persons unknown has been renewed for another 12 months.

"I attended the High Court last week and I am very grateful to Judge Richardson for her decision.

"The hard work to get our injunction in place is paying off.

"Since May 2024, there have only been two breaches of the injunction area and in both cases, they were moved on the same day."

He added: "This decision continues to protect those living in the injunction area from the appalling behaviour that we’ve had to experience over many years.

"Unauthorised traveller encampments won’t be tolerated in Test Valley.

"The reinstatement of the power of arrest against ‘persons unknown’ in May 2024 means that in partnership with the police we can move on any perpetrator very quickly without having to seek protracted court orders.

"I’m sure this will also act as a deterrent from unauthorised encampments from coming to Test Valley in the first place, along with all the other work we have done to better protect our open spaces."