Newbie Question on Wildcamping & Drinking - Page 4

Losos · 14-06-2009, 09:45

Alanbirt - If you had the time and the money and collected all the printed legislation available to national and local government, the Highways Agency, Police, the political correct brigade, and countless other so called 'authorities' I'm pretty sure you would find something which said that where ever you park these days could be considered illegal

I seem to recall that they passed a law to allow Police to 'move you on' which was aimed at a certain group of people (I'm sure you know who I'm refering to) and this 'could' be applied to anyone (Well to keep the PC brigade happy it has to apply to anyone)

There's too much legislation, bring back the days of good old common sense. Mind you I think the Police do apply common sense in a lot of cases, just the odd one or two that seem to be over zealous.

Wildman · 14-06-2009, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanbirt

I note that on 10 Aug 08, 'Paulejw' asked 'Wildman' to justify the statement above but I do not seem able to find 'Wildman's' reply. Would 'Wildman' please justify his claim that wildcamping is illegal in England, especially since 'Sunty's' recent very helpful reply.
False information should not be posted on the forum.

Wild camping, ie putting out awnings tables and chairs bbq etc is illegal, sleeping in a parked vehicle is not illegal unless it infringes local bylaws or causes an obstruction. Legally parked with permission and there are less than three motorhomes involved it is not a problem, however over three vans constitutes a campsite and requires planning permission. If infringing local bylaws the council have to contact the police to move you on, if only sleeping over night and off the next day they won't have time in most cases. The police do not go around looking for people to move on.
The law regarding camping came in in the 1960's as a result of the hippy convoys, funnily enough it only applies to motor homes, use a car and a tent and there are no problems..

GJH · 14-06-2009, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanbirt

I note that on 10 Aug 08, 'Paulejw' asked 'Wildman' to justify the statement above but I do not seem able to find 'Wildman's' reply. Would 'Wildman' please justify his claim that wildcamping is illegal in England, especially since 'Sunty's' recent very helpful reply.
False information should not be posted on the forum.

Please see my post above (7:44pm on 12 June).

Graham

BuzzLand · 03-07-2009, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicdicdoc

You also leave yourself vulnerable to robbery or worse !

Don't be so pathetic.

If a robber tries to break in and finds someone sleeping inside they'll run a mile 9 times out of 10.

Elvis · 03-07-2009, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ourcampersbeentrashed

You need to put it all into context and stop worrying so much. Police Officers are ordinary human beings after all and most have some common sense and can tell for example between people deliberately being obstructive and refusing to move on and those with genuine reason.

A police officer cannot by law ask a person to commit an offence, so if you were over the limit and asked to move on, you have to refuse and explain that by following his/her instructions you would be breaking the law. Police can also usually tell the difference between motorhome funsters and travellers. Police can also with a qualified police driver, move your vehicle for you. e.g if there was a fire in the pub and you were drunk and couldnt drive the motorhome to safety, they could do that for you.

Providing you are legally parked and not causing any obstruction, there would be no reason for anyone to tow your vehicle or issue you with a fine.

Seriously go and enjoy yourself and stop worrying. In the unlikely event that you are asked to move on, be polite explain the situation and get the police to work with you towards a mutually agreeable solution.

Good luck and go have fun

I agree! Just enjoy and dont let the b**tards grind you down

Aside from rallies, we only wild camp. Pub car parks, seafront, legal parking spots, side of the road, round the back of club venues, outside our pals house.

Our MH is a legally licenced vehicle, taxed, MOT's, insured and so on... we may have a good few beers but keys are out of the way (I put them in the grill !).... remember THEY have to prove you intended to drive and the Magistrates are not stupid...it's a bl**dy MH of course you were going to sleep in it, what else

And mostly the police are not really intersted, unless you are causing an abstruction or something and they don't want unessary paperwork either; who does! And they do know the difference between 'travellers' and genuine MH'ers.

Talk about wasting the courts time !!!!

We have never had a problem, never been moved on, never had a cross word with a policeman and continue to enjoy our MH

Elvis · 03-07-2009, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzLand

Don't be so pathetic.

If a robber tries to break in and finds someone sleeping inside they'll run a mile 9 times out of 10.

Unkess you are parked up in South East London,or worse! East End!

looking · 03-07-2009, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulejw

I'm interested that you say Wild Camping is illegal. Can you please quote me the exact law; I would be interested to read it.

I'm not saying your wrong I'm just interested in having the exact law on this.

Best Regards

Paul

Hi I have all way free camped and never had any trouble,never been asked to move on but then I do get off the main roads and pick my spot.some times ask at a pub or farm and most times it as been ok. But why is it that traverls gipsy can and do stop were ever they please and leave far more mess then any of us do,leave it as you find it I say, If you really get stuck go on to a industrale estate and park in front of one of them. cheers George

BuzzLand · 03-07-2009, 22:29

Do you mean park in front of a gypsy wagon to block them in?

Be wary of messing or tangling with them like that.
I know of gypsies and they almost always outnumber you and don't really answer to the law.
They are pretty much as off the grid and as unanswerable to 'the system' as possible. Court Summons? Dream on, enforceable fines? Doubt it.
So them smashing your vehicle up and stealing bits off it really wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibilty.

I'm not attacking them or you but just pointing out crossing gypsy travellers is very unwise. If that's what you meant. :)