Lighting fires in wild places - the law

[Back]

Yesterday evening we were wandering around a new reserve for us. The place was full of dog walkers and teenagers.

When we were leaving, I noticed a small bonfire in a dense part of some woods. I did not have a map, I did not know the boundaries of the reserve. I wanted to get closer. My husband asked me not to get involved.

I now think that this fire was lit inside the reserve. I don't think the incident warranted a 999 call. But knowing what I think I know now, can anyone who knows about the legality of such a situation advise what would have been my best course of action.

The woods would have been part of the area covered by the Met Police, who do tend to have their hands full and be more concerned with more serious criminal acts (depending on your point of view - I am in no way trivializing the damage these people might have been causing).

Thanks folks.

[The Woodman]

It may have been quite in order. Staff in my local NNR and county reserves regularly burn brash and the like but here it is always burnt on sheets of corrugated steel to protect the ground benaeth.

[Za]

One thing to look out for would be a notice board with numbers for the reserve management or rangers, often found near car parks and entrances. I usually note these down on my way in .
That way you can report anything unusual, or interesting, directly to them, and they can take the best course of action.
Za

[Back]

Thanks both for the replies.

I believe that kids did start the fire. I'm fairly sure that no one in their right mind would start a fire in/near this sort of dense ivy-covered growth. There were signs of arson on a notice board and remains of fires containing aerosol cans close by. We had noticed 3 kids behaving strangely, and the same kids meeting up with other groups of kids. Not that I'd bother to describe all this to the police here. They only deal with hard facts, and I don't have any. People whom they view as time-wasters are very quickly put in their place, even if a crime was commited.

I think I should do something though. Option 1 will be to report an incident online to the police, who can file the report as they think appropriate (). Option 2 is to report it to the reserve's "friends" group. I'm leaning towards this one because something might just get done, and I imagine it will be dealt with more sympathetically.

Anyway, Hubby is willing to go back later, so I can take pictures and coordinates, at least.

[davecatt]

Originally Posted by Back

Thanks both for the replies.

I believe that kids did start the fire. I'm fairly sure that no one in their right mind would start a fire in/near this sort of dense ivy-covered growth. There were signs of arson on a notice board and remains of fires containing aerosol cans close by. We had noticed 3 kids behaving strangely, and the same kids meeting up with other groups of kids. Not that I'd bother to describe all this to the police here. They only deal with hard facts, and I don't have any. People whom they view as time-wasters are very quickly put in their place, even if a crime was commited.

I think I should do something though. Option 1 will be to report an incident online to the police, who can file the report as they think appropriate (). Option 2 is to report it to the reserve's "friends" group. I'm leaning towards this one because something might just get done, and I imagine it will be dealt with more sympathetically.

Anyway, Hubby is willing to go back later, so I can take pictures and coordinates, at least.

I agree. Notify some one responsible for the site and they can check on any damage and if they then report the incident,the police will be bound to look into it,usually by having the local patrol keep an eye on the area.
Dave