TAXPAYERS have stumped up £60,000 to foot the clean-up bill for travellers' sites, with figures revealing the number of encampments almost doubled last year.

The total cost was revealed as Cherwell District Council showed how travellers pitched up in the district 28 times in 2018, including 39 caravans in one instance at Bicester's park-and-ride.

A trail of destruction was often left behind including broken bollards, bricks, rubbish and in some cases very sick pets.

As a result, the district council was forced to fork out thousands of pounds in clean-up and court costs.

Cherwell District Council assistant director for environmental health and licensing Richard Webb said in a council document that despite many encampments in the area being relatively short, 2018 brought about 'more significant problems'.

The report referred to a group of travellers who had been hopping from various Oxfordshire park-and-rides over the past year to set up camp.

This happened twice in Bicester's park-and-ride, with one case in April costing the council £12,426 alone in clean-up and court costs.

Statistics showed in total there were 28 unauthorised encampments last year in the district, doubling in two years from 14 camps in 2016 and 16 in 2017.

During 2018, in Bicester and the surrounding areas this included two camps of up to 30 or more caravans at the park-and-ride, four times nearby in Bicester streets, and 11 cases in nearby villages.

In one instance travellers pitched up on to a grass verge in Kirtlington for 109 days.

The latest figures also revealed that in one day the estimated loss to one car park invaded by travellers was more than£500.

Mr Webb added: "Many of the encampments cause significant local concern and generate comments on community social media forums, or result in pressure on elected members and parish councils.

"Many members of the local community affected by encampments do not report any crime or antisocial behaviour to the police through fear of reprisals.

"This presents challenges when responding to the encampment as problems experienced and discussed anecdotally cannot be used as part of the decision-making process or supporting evidence for enforcement action."

The document has been drawn up by Cherwell District Council to inform councillors of the eviction process for traveller sites and what is being done to combat the issue. It is hoped by informing local councillors, the general public can be better kept up to date.

New fencing was installed last year in several areas to deter travellers from returning but the council said it can often be difficult and expensive to defend land such as car parks.

The district council is also planning to consult the public on potential sites for temporary and permanent traveller sites as part of the area's Local Plan Review.