Enforcement teams deal with more than 700 people breaking rules on petting ponies and lighting barbecues in the New Forest
More than 700 people were dealt with under newly granted powers aimed at protecting the Forest’s environment and wildlife.
As reported in the A&T, two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced by New Forest District Council in the lead up to summer in a bid to tackle wildfires caused by barbecues and campfires and the feeding and petting of ponies and donkeys.
Teams from Forestry England, the national park authority and the verderers have been out on regular patrols of the Forest enforcing the new rules, with those caught breaking them risking a fine or prosecution.
In the first three months, they have dealt with more than 150 incidents involving more than 700 people, and in all cases those involved were made aware of the rules and warned of potential fines.
Of these, 120 involved petting and feeding Forest stock, and the remainder saw the use of barbecues or the lighting of fires. The relatively low number of latter incidents was believed to be down to the poor summer weather, and was said to “reflect an overall downward trend in the use of barbecues compared to during last year’s heatwave”.
No fines were issued in any of the cases, with the focus in the first few months just on education.
Charlotte Belcher, community manager for Forestry England, said in most cases there had been a lack of awareness by users of the Forest.
“They just don’t realise the harm these activities can cause, especially when they try to get too close to the famous New Forest ponies,” she said.
“It’s clear that when people understand the risk, and how they can change their behaviour to help protect the Forest, most are much more likely to comply without the need for a fine or further action. But if needed we now have the power to do this.”
Steve Avery, executive director of strategy and planning at the NPA, said the PSPOs had had a really positive impact.
“As well as the direct approach to people on the ground, attending events, communications and putting up signs, we have been working with the tourism industry and local communities to ensure more people understand how they can help care for the New Forest,” he said.
The ban on barbecues and subsequent enforcement follows repeated fire damage to the Forest over recent years, and the growing risk of wildfires due to increasingly hotter and drier conditions.
There has also been huge concern over the safety of the public and Forest animals following injuries to people who have got too close to stock, and animal deaths resulting from being fed human food.
As well as regular patrols, signs have been installed across the Forest and the new rules are also highlighted in the New Forest Code, widely publicised across the area and shared by local tourism businesses with visitors before and during their stay.
