With thousands set to visit area this Easter, a clear message of 'leave no trace' is being encouraged as Council patrols aim to ensure people are minimising their impact on the environment during their visit.
Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Police have come together ahead of the Easter holidays to urge people to plan ahead and enjoy the Westmorland and Furness area responsibly as new measures are introduced to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been brought in under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to give the council and Cumbria Police a practical tool to step in where activities are negatively affecting people's quality of life.
Following a recent public consultation launched by Westmorland and Furness Council on behalf of landowners, more than 500 responses showed overwhelming support for 12 new PSPOs which are now in force at the tourist hotspots in the heart of the Lake District.
The Orders have been introduced in response to concerns raised by landowners and residents who called for action to tackle ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour linked to camping, motorhome use, wildfires, barbeques and littering, all of which can cause significant harm to the environment.
From today, the Orders cover:
Ambleside - Galava Roman Fort (owned by the National Trust)
Ambleside – Holme Crag (owned by the National Trust)
Blea Tarn (owned by the National Trust)
Coniston - Brown Howe (owned by Lake District National Park)
Coniston East Shore (owned by the National Trust)
Haweswater Reservoir (owned by Untied Utilities)
Hartsop - Brotherswater (owned by the National Trust)
Ullswater – South Ullswater including Glencoyne and Aira Force (owned by National Trust)
Ullswater - South Ullswater including Ullswater Steamers land (owned by Lake District Estates and National Trust) and Jenkin Field in Glenridding (owned by Patterdale Parish Council)
Ullswater - Laybys and land adjacent lake (owned by Gowbarrow Hall)
Windermere – Bowness and Millerground including Cockshott Point (owned by National Trust)
Windermere West Shore (owned National Trust).
Westmorland and Furness Council will carry out joint patrols of these areas with Cumbria Police over a two-week period, encouraging visitors to enjoy the area responsibly and leave no trace of their visit.
They will work together to encourage people to enjoy the area responsibly and, where needed, use the Orders to address anti-social behaviour linked to camping and the inappropriate use of motorhomes, as well as environmental damage caused by littering, fires and barbecues.
The Orders will not affect those enjoying the area responsibly and leaving no trace of their visit, or genuine wild campers who stay overnight in remote areas, above the highest fell away from roads and settlements.
Those found breaching an Order by causing anti-social behaviour or environmental damage could be hit with a Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £100.
If payment of the Fixed Penalty Notice is not made within the required timescales or the incident is serious, prosecution for the offence of failing to comply with the PSPOs may be initiated resulting in summary conviction with fines of up to £1,000 being issued by Courts.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said:
"The clear and overwhelming support we received through the consultation shows just how much people care about protecting this special part of the country.
"We have worked closely with landowners to introduce Public Space Protection Orders on their land, giving them an additional tool to help tackle anti-social behaviour, reduce environmental impact, and protect these much-loved locations for everyone to enjoy.
"This Easter, urge people to play their part in respecting the landscape by taking litter home, avoid use of fires and barbecues and follow guidance that landowners have in place around camping, use of fires and barbecues."
The Council is continuing to take on take a targeted, evidence-based approach to introducing PSPOs ensuring those brought in are lawful.
The 12 new Orders cover an area of 13.6 million square feet, almost the same size as Windermere lake, with hundreds more Orders already in place on council land.
Given the vast areas the PSPOs cover across Westmorland and Furness, authorities and landowners patrolling the area are unable to be everywhere at once to catch people causing issues. Residents and visitors are therefore encouraged to report evidence of issues to the council so they can be investigated.
Cllr Derbyshire continued: "While the Public Space Protection Orders cover a vast large area of Westmorland and Furness, our small and dedicated team, working alongside Cumbria Police and landowners, cannot be everywhere at once.
"That's why we encourage residents and visitors to help protect these special places by reporting incidents and providing clear evidence. You can join is our vital role in keeping our communities and beautiful landscapes safe for everyone to enjoy."
To help provide evidence, people are encouraged to safely take photos of the incident and record vehicle number plates where possible.
Reports can be submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council by emailing pspo@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk. If an incident is an emergency, please contact Cumbria Police on 999.
The person reporting the incident must be required to provide a formal witness statement and attend court if the case is escalated, or the case cannot be pursed.
This approach supports the ongoing work of the Strategic Visitor Management Group, which brings partners together to promote responsible tourism, reduce environmental impact, and protect both local communities and the area's landscapes.
David Allen, Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the Strategic Visitor Management Group said:
"In an emergency, Cumbria Police will always respond quickly and robustly to protect the public and keep people safe.
"But it's important to be clear that these Public Space Protection Orders introduced and led by Westmorland and Furness Council sit at the heart of managing day-to-day issues in these areas.
"This is about partners working together, with the council and other agencies including the police working together with the council.
"Ultimately, we all have a role to play in protecting these special places, and that also includes visitors taking responsibility for their actions.
"Cumbria is beautiful, and that's why people visit and want to camp here. Please do so responsibly. Treat the natural habitat with respect and leave it as you find it."
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