Ringwood Police in parking plea at New Forest beauty spots

Police have hit out at motorists over ‘irresponsible’ parking during high risk fire season and say their actions can have devastating consequences during emergency situations.  

A spokesperson for Ringwood Police said: “In an emergency every second counts.

"All too often ambulance, police, fire and rescue, are delayed due to inconsiderate parking, blocking access gates and obstructing roads puts lives in danger and preventing emergency services getting to the scene promptly.

“We all love visiting rural areas for their beauty. Often, without realising they contain fragile and vulnerable flora and fauna, with irreplaceable protected endangered species.

Ringwood Police has urged people not to use barbecues at beauty spot

“In this high risk fire season the person who parks irresponsibly preventing access, is as responsible for the destruction caused, as those whose reckless behaviour or use (of) disposable BBQs start the fire which results in death of wildlife and habitat lose.”

Ringwood Police has urged people not to use barbecues at beauty spots

Ringwood Police said it and other neighbouring policing teams in the New Forest are working closely with Forestry England and Hampshire Fire and Rescue to reduce the risk and target those responsible.

The spokesperson added: “All firefighters in the New Forest are retained volunteers with full time jobs, the longer it takes to get to the incident the larger a fire can become killing animals and habitat, requiring more resources and time to deal, reducing coverage for other incidents in the home or on the road putting lives at risk.”

People have also been urged not to use disposable barbecues and to enjoy the countryside with a picnic or visit a pub or cafe.