Patrols have been stepped up across the Lake District this August to crack down on fly camping – a term used to describe irresponsible and often illegal camping practices that leave behind litter, damage the environment, and disturb other visitors.
The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), alongside Cumbria Police and National Trust rangers, launched the first of the enhanced patrols on Friday 1 August at Ullswater. Officers split into teams, with some joining lake rangers on the water to spot camping activity and alert rangers on the ground.
Rangers spoke with around 40 people during the patrol, encouraging them to take litter home and leave no trace.
These coordinated patrols will continue throughout the month at locations such as Derwent Water, Windermere, Wasdale and Coniston, at various times of day and night. They will run alongside routine checks carried out by National Trust and LDNPA rangers.
The initiative is part of a wider visitor management strategy involving key partners including Cumbria Police, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, the Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and major landowners. Together they share information and coordinate efforts to address anti-social behaviour linked to outdoor tourism.
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“We are disappointed and frustrated by the fly camping and littering in certain areas of the National Park," says Simon Hill of the LDNPA. "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.”
Local residents are also being invited to a community event, ‘Keeping Ullswater Beautiful’, on Saturday 9 August at Jenkins Field, Glenridding, between 10am and 2pm.
Inspector Mo Bibby of Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team says: “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.”
Top image: Ullswater, Lake District. Credit: Getty
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