Patrols increase at Lake District fly camping hot spots
Lake District National Park Authority and partners have increased the number of patrols in fly camping hot spots.
The first of the increased patrols took place on Friday, 1 August, and saw Cumbria Police Officers and National Trust Rangers join Lake District National Park Authority Rangers in patrolling Ullswater.
The group in the patrol split into two, with some officers joining LDNPA Lake Rangers on Ullswater, where they had a vantage point to spot camping activity and inform officers and rangers on the ground and around the lakeshore.
Rangers engaged with around 40 people, educating them on the importance of taking responsibility for what they unpack and asking them to take litter home and leave no trace.
The partnership patrols are ongoing throughout August in certain areas considered ‘hot spots’ for fly camping and littering, at different times of day and night. Patrols will include Ullswater, Derwent Water, Windermere, Wasdale and Coniston. These are in addition to other patrols taking place by National Trust Rangers and LDNPA Rangers.
As part of a wider range of measures, partners including Cumbria Police, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and major landowners like the National Trust, regularly meet through a strategic visitor management group to share knowledge and coordinate approaches on issues such as fly camping and littering.
Simon Hill, of Lake District National Park Authority, said: “We are disappointed and frustrated by the fly camping and littering in certain areas of the National Park. Nobody wants to see this kind of mess in the Lake District landscape, and we encourage people to take personal responsibility by taking their litter home.
“Through these partnership patrols we are engaging directly with landowners and people camping to help raise awareness and encourage people to leave no trace on the special Lake District landscape.
“To reach a wider audience, and engage people before they arrive, we are this year also piloting a project with social media influencers, who are spreading the message of how to be a responsible visitor, and reminding people that the Lake District is both a fragile environment and people’s home.”
A community event is also being held on Saturday, 9 August, by Cumbria Fire and Rescue, Cumbria Police, Westmorland and Furness Council, LDNPA and the National Trust. Residents are invited to speak directly with services at the ‘Keeping Ullswater Beautiful’ event, and between 10am–2pm, at Jenkins Field, Glenridding.
Inspector Mo Bibby, Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team added: “Together, we’re addressing concerns around fly camping, bonfires, and littering—all of which pose risks to the environment and local communities.
“Criminal damage and the dumping of litter and discarded equipment is not acceptable, and anybody found to be committing such acts is liable to prosecution
“I would urge anyone visiting the area to be considerate to local residents and the environment.
“Please come along to the community event on Saturday and share your views.”
