COUNCIL chiefs have confirmed that they will not take any action to step up security at an industrial estate plagued by travellers earlier this year.

Travellers who arrived at the Leeming Bar industrial estate, North Yorkshire, in May, caus-ed thousands of pounds worth of damage to businesses and attacked pub customers in the area. There were also reports of gunshots being fired.

But Hambleton District Council says it will not be taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The authority has ruled out various options, including installing huge boulders on the land and erecting security fencing.

However, councillors called for better coordination with the police about the movement of travellers.

The council's deputy leader, Councillor Arthur Barker, said: "It is important that we keep this incident in perspective. In the last two years we have only had two instances of travellers using our land.

"While we do not underestimate the problems this causes to businesses and local people, preventative measures placed elsewhere have proved costly, ineffective and of questionable benefit."