Fines Issued After Fires Cause Damage At Ullswater
Two groups have been fined after lighting fires beside Ullswater, with police taking action during patrols aimed at preventing anti social behaviour and environmental damage in the Lake District.
The incidents took place at Ullswater while a police community support officer was carrying out patrols of locations covered by a Public Space Protection Order. The officer encountered two separate groups who had lit fires on the shoreside, prompting intervention at the scene.
The fires were extinguished by those dealing with the incidents, while the affected area was also cleaned up following the activity. The groups were given advice about the restrictions in place as well as fixed penalty notices for their actions.
Police said the patrols form part of wider efforts to address anti social behaviour and criminal damage at popular countryside locations. Issues being targeted include fly camping, littering, fires and other activities that can negatively affect the environment and surrounding communities.
Members of the public have been reminded that fires and barbecues should not be used in the affected areas. Police highlighted the continuing wildfire risk across the countryside and warned that even a small ember can potentially develop into a fire capable of causing serious damage.
The restrictions are enforced through Public Space Protection Orders, which provide councils and police with additional powers to intervene when particular activities are having a detrimental impact on people's quality of life. The orders cover a number of popular locations across the Lake District and surrounding areas.
The Public Space Protection Orders were introduced under the Anti social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They allow authorities to establish restrictions in designated locations where persistent problems have been identified and provide enforcement measures when people fail to comply.
There are currently 12 such orders covering around 13.6 million square feet of land across the Westmorland and Furness area. The combined area is almost equivalent in size to Windermere, demonstrating the scale of the countryside covered by the restrictions.
The orders were introduced following concerns raised by landowners and residents about recurring problems in popular outdoor areas. These concerns have included unauthorised camping, motorhome use, wildfires, barbecues and littering, all of which can create problems for communities and damage sensitive environments.
Ullswater is among the areas covered by the restrictions, with designated zones including parts of South Ullswater around Glencoyne and Aira Force. Other protected areas around the lake include land associated with the Ullswater Steamers, Jenkin Field in Glenridding, laybys and land alongside the lake.
The wider network of orders also covers locations including Ambleside, Blea Tarn, Coniston, Haweswater Reservoir, Hartsop and Brotherswater, as well as several areas around Windermere. Different sites are managed by organisations and landowners including the National Trust, Lake District National Park, United Utilities, Lake District Estates and local authorities.
Anyone found breaching an order through anti social behaviour or environmental damage can receive a fixed penalty notice of up to £100. The enforcement powers are intended to provide a proportionate response to incidents while helping protect popular countryside locations from activities that could cause lasting damage.
Where a fixed penalty notice is not paid within the required timeframe, or where an incident is considered serious, prosecution can be initiated for failing to comply with the order. A conviction can result in a court imposed fine of up to £1,000, underlining the potential consequences of ignoring the restrictions.
Police are continuing to urge visitors to respect the restrictions when spending time in the Lake District and to avoid activities that could increase the risk of wildfire or cause environmental damage. The latest enforcement action at Ullswater serves as a reminder that the restrictions are actively monitored and that breaches can result in financial penalties.
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