A WARD councillor in Poole has urged visitors to Ham Common Pond to treat the area “with respect” following a spate of incidents over the past 12 months.

Having been known locally as a spot for anti-social behaviour, exacerbated by the recent lockdowns, the council and police force are enforcing new rules following complaints.

Hamworthy ward councillor Julie Bagwell said: “Obviously, it is a dark and secluded area, people have used it for years and years to do various things and get away with it. Times have changed and that is what is happening here.

“In reality, I have had no reports of any incidents at Ham Common Pond, which is unusual as I normally hear about these kinds of things straight away.

“There must be someone around there who is reporting these incidents which is good as we can do something about them.”

Poole Neighbourhood Police Team and heath wardens are to step up patrols of the area after a rise in anti-social behaviour including littering, open fires and human waste have been left on the site.

The new Mayor of Poole added: “Starting fires on Ham Common is crazy, not only because it is an SSSI site but because it is a pretty major issue at the moment and.

“If you are lighting a fire near trees and gorse, especially at this time of year, you run the risk of starting a big fire. I do not want to have another major heath fire in the BCP area, let alone on in Hamworthy.

“Litter needs to be taken home by people who bring it onto the site. If people want to take things to Ham Pond and there are no bins provided, they need to take their equipment and rubbish with them when they leave.”

BCP Council have also put in new rules at the fishing spot informing anglers that they can only stay on the site during a 24-hour period, with no overnight camping allowed.

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Environment Agency bailiffs will also conduct their own patrols of the site and anyone who does not hold a rod license will be asked to move on.

“Think before you act and treat everywhere with respect,” Cllr Bagwell said. “People do not have enough respect for themselves at the moment, let alone other people.”

“How exactly they are going to do patrols of the area I do not know.

“Having a council officer walking around the pond at night shining a torch around in the dark seems a bit strange, but if police are patrolling the area hopefully that will put a stop to these sorts of incidents.”