A group of illegal Lake District campers have been issued with £100 fines for not clearing up after themselves.
Patrols are taking place across areas of the national park.
During the patrol of a National Trust-owned site in Ullswater, officers from Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumbria police identified a group from Leeds in breach of a Public Space Protection Order by causing environmental damage while camping, with anti-social behaviour.
They had also parked by and ignored a sign from the landowner, which said: “No camping or overnight stays. No fires. No litter.”
The authority said the site was found in a poor condition, with significant litter around the tents, including partially burnt waste, alcohol cans, tent pegs and other debris, some of which had reached the lakeshore and posed a risk of pollution.
Following a police arrest involving one individual, the council team spoke to the remaining group.
The council said they accepted responsibility and were instructed to clear the site or face an on-the-spot fine.
As alcohol had been consumed, they were advised to leave the site the following morning and ensure it was left clear.
They were warned that the area would be re‑inspected and enforcement action taken if any damage was identified.
An inspection the next day confirmed tents had been removed, but a number of items had been left behind, including camping equipment, litter, tobacco waste and burnt materials.
Council officers concluded the site had not been left in an acceptable condition.
As a result, two people were issued with fixed penalty notices of £100 for breaching the Public Space Protection Order.
Patrols during the day and evening took place between Friday March 27 and April 12 in areas covered by the Public Space Protection Orders.
The sites included Ullswater, Blea Tarn, Monk Coniston and Red Nab, Grasmere play area, Rothay Park, Borrans Park in Ambleside, the Glebe in Bowness, Rayrigg Meadow and Queens Park in Windermere.
Council and police officers engaged with hundreds of residents and visitors across the two weeks and said the vast majority found to be enjoying the area responsibly by disposing of litter appropriately, picking up after their dogs and avoiding lighting fires or barbecues.
The council added that officers did encounter incidents of littering and evidence of illegal fires.
It added: “As no offenders could be identified, they supported clean-up efforts to ensure the areas were left in a better condition.”
More patrols will be carried out over the bank holiday weekend.
The 12 new orders cover an area of 13.6 million square feet and people are encouraged to report any incidents to support enforcement action.
To assist investigations, people can safely take photographs of incidents and, where possible, record vehicle registration numbers so the offender(s) can be identified.
Reports can be submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council at [email protected].
Those reporting incidents will be asked to provide a formal witness statement and, where necessary, attend court if a case is progressed.
Landowners are responsible for setting and enforcing rules on where camping is permitted, otherwise known as fly-camping, including the application of relevant byelaws. To report a person camping where they shouldn’t, this should be submitted to the landowner.
