Lake District chiefs to ‘team up’ with social media influencers after surge in fly camping

Lake District chiefs are teaming up with social media influencers to spread the message to visitors about being responsible in the national park.

It follows a surge of anti-social behaviour in the Lake District – from extreme litter issues to illegal camping.

The Lake District National Park Authority, which is also ramping up patrols with partners in fly-camping hotspots, said it was piloting a project with social media influencers to encourage people to be a responsible visitor and leave no trace.

Last summer, Cumbria Crack reported on dozens of incidents of illegal camping, littering and anti-social behaviour. Anecdotally, people blamed what appeared to be a sudden increase of people on social media posting about their visits.

We reported earlier this year about fears of the impact of social media on the Lake District.

Mountain rescue teams also said social media was leading to an increased number of callouts from people who were not prepared.

New figures published last month show the increased pressure on mountain rescue volunteers.

The Lake District National Park Authority said its first of its increased patrols took place last Friday, August 1, at Ullswater.

It saw police officers and National Trust rangers join authority rangers to target fly-camping hotspots.

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 spoke to 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 will continue this month at different times of day and night.

Patrols will include Ullswater, Derwentwater, Windermere, Wasdale and Coniston. These are in addition to other patrols taking place.

Cumbria police, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils, the county’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen and major landowners like the National Trust, regularly meet through a strategic visitor management group to share knowledge and co-ordinate 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.”

Multiple Lake District campers were moved on for excessive littering and mess last week. Cumberland Council said its civil enforcement team engaged with groups of people camping in and around Wasdale.

It said while most were respectful of the area, multiple campers were moved on due to excessive littering and mess left behind, including disposable barbecues.

A community event will be held on Saturday, August 9, by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria police, Westmorland and Furness Council, the national park authority and the National Trust.

People are invited to speak directly with services at the Keeping Ullswater Beautiful event between 10am and 2pm at Jenkins Field in Glenridding.

Inspector Mo Bibby, of 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.”

In February, Cumberland Council signed off on a new order to give its civil enforcement team the power to issue fines to people caught fly camping.

Fly-camping – not to be confused with wild camping – is named so when campers do not follow the rules of wild camping and when their planned pitch is not above the highest fell wall.

Want to learn more? Read our guide on how to avoid fly-camping and how to stick to the ethos of true wild camping while you’re out enjoying the fells.