Operation Heathland launches today, Monday 21 March, to protect Dorset’s heathland from fire, theft and anti-social behaviour.
The start of the operation coincides with Arson Awareness Week – a national week of action which aims to tackle awareness of fire and its consequences.
Organisations who want to protect Dorset’s heathland from vandalism, damage and arson, are working collectively to maintain the county’s precious natural landscape, by carrying out educational programmes and prevention activity in schools, the community and on heathlands.
The group, known as the Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP), comprises of 14 organisations, including Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, local authorities, Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust, The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, the National Trust, the RSPB and the Forestry Commission.
As well as arson, the UHP tackles issues including:
- Trampling of rare plants and animals
- Erosion of vegetation and sandy heathland soil
- Disturbance of ground-nesting birds such as nightjars and woodlarks
- Enrichment of the soil by dog faeces
- Fly-tipping of rubbish and garden refuse
- Predation of rare animals by domestic pets
The initiative, in its 17th year, is running between 21 March and 30 September.
Last year, there were over 100 reports of heath/grass type fires. Six youths were arrested and dealt with through the Youth Justice System for three separate offences.
Inspector Claire Phillips, from Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We conduct high visibility patrols across the heaths, as well as run events in conjunction with Urban Heaths Partnership to prevent damage being caused to the local environment and animals’ and peoples’ lives being put at risk.
“Dorset’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), Specials, Dog Units and members from Horse Watch in east Dorset assist in protecting the heathland by catching and apprehending offenders, who commit crimes including arson, poaching and road traffic offences.
“Illegal riding of motorbikes and scramblers erodes fragile heathland soil and puts lives in danger on public open spaces. Anyone caught riding a motorbike off-road could be issued with a Section 59 notice (Police reform Act 2002) if using the vehicle in such a way as to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to a member of the public and risk having their motorbike seized.”
Nearly a third of Dorset’s internationally important heathland is situated in the urban areas of south east Dorset, with nearly half a million people living nearby. The majority of Dorset heaths are designated ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest'(SSSI) and above such as ‘Special Protection Area’ (SPA).
Inspector Phillips added: “Classifications are put in place to protect these important habitats and they require active management if we are to invest for future generations.
Gaynor Mant from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Arson is the biggest threat to heathland wildlife. Deliberate and accidental fires can destroy whole colonies of wildlife. Be careful with cigarette butts and do not use disposable BBQs on heaths.
“People need to be aware of the risks to the heath and potential house fires.”
Paul Attwell, the Urban Heaths Partnership manager said: “The Urban Heaths Partnership continues to work together to help protect and enhance our local heathland, which is important not just to the local community, but internationally as well.
“Protecting and managing these sites are a shared responsibility with landowners, managers, Natural England and site users.
“Site managers will be working closely with the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and the police to reduce the number of fires and anti-social behaviour on these sites.
“Fires in the summer on heathlands can have devastating effects on the wildlife and vegetation; they can take up to 25 years to recover. These fires can in the right conditions travel as fast as an Olympic sprinter.”
Dorset heaths are home to all six native reptiles: smooth snake, grass snake, adder, sand lizard, common lizard and slow worm – and for some of these our heaths are the only remaining natural habitat in the UK.
If you see a fire or anti-social behaviour being committed on a heathland, get to safety and call the police on the emergency number, 999.
Volunteers are being recruited who regularly visit the heaths and would be willing to give up a small amount of their time to help protect them. The UHP offer training to Heath Watch groups on Dorset’s open spaces.
Call 01202 642787, email urbanheaths@dorsetcc.gov.uk or visit the Community Heath Watch page on Facebook for more information or sign up to receive alerts about heathlands by joining Heath Watch via Dorset Alert.