Illegal campers fined as police issue fire warning

Illegal campers in a national park who started what police described as a "large" camp fire have been fined.

They were discovered at the Parc Pale car park just outside Lyndhurst in the New Forest on Monday.

Officers from Hampshire police and Forestry England have issued a warning about the dangers of starting fires in the forest.

A statement on social media said: "A fine was issued under the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that is in place across the forest banning all open fires and BBQs."

The statement continued: "It is important that everyone knows how dangerous lighting fires is especially at the moment when the forest is so dry."

Fire crews in the south of England have been tackled a number of wildfires over the weekend after a period of prolonged dry weather.

Police said cannabis was also found in the camper's car that was seized and destroyed.

In 2023, a PSPO was introduced by New Forest National Park Authority to protect wildlife and prevent barbecues.

Anyone in breach can be handed a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or fined up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

Fines were introduced after Forestry England reported barbecues and campfires were "happening continuously and repeatedly" in the New Forest

The police warning comes as the UK is experiencing the driest spring on record, with Hampshire seeing 20% of the average rainfall since the beginning of March.

On Saturday Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service was called to a woodland blaze at Bransgore in the New Forest which engulfed a hectare (2.5 acres) of heathland and woods.

It was the latest in a series of wildfires that have hit Dorset and Hampshire during the past two months.

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