A RISE in crime associated with traveller sites has prompted a Scots MP to call for a national strategy to deal with the issue.

A RISE in crime associated with traveller sites has prompted a Scots MP to call for a national strategy to deal with the issue.

The problem has escalated in Ayrshire in recent months with at least one incident involving a firearm.

Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe organised a meeting in the House of Commons after reports of incidents at unofficial sites in his constituency.

One major problem is at the Beach Park in Irvine, which has a long history of problems with travellers' sites.

Mr Donohoe said groups have been setting up camps illegally, causing problems and then when they are moved on, taking the problems to other areas nearby.

He has asked UK communities minister John Denham to take the lead to establish a strategy.

At the meeting the minister accepted there were problems, but stressed they were not common to all travellers groups, and pledged to raise it with the Home Secretary.

Mr Donohoe also suggested that the travelling community must be involved in efforts to ensure the sites are peaceful, with much of the crime believed to be as a result of family feuds.

Mr Donohoe said: "There have been camps in many places in Ayrshire including the Beach Park in Irvine and at supermarket car parks in Ayr.

"I am grateful for the determination the Secretary of State showed to bring centralised solutions to these fragmented and complex problems."

He said Mr Denham recognised it was an issue that merited more attention than it had received, and he wanted to see councils take more action on unofficial encampments.

Although he has direct responsibility only for England, Mr Denham was asked by Mr Donohoe to liaise with his counterparts in Scotland and Wales, and to become the lead minister in co-ordinating the different areas of government affected by travellers' issues.

There are also fears that travellers at some sites may have links to organised crime.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "We do not have any issues with the travelling community in Ayrshire. We try to ensure we establish early liaison with all communities.

"Complaints are normally relating to a civil matter."