Vandalism at several nature sites
Tents have been abandoned, rubbish strewn across the grass and buildings vandalised at nature reserves across the county.
Kent Wildlife Trust, based in Maidstone, says there have been at least four incidents of campers pitching up tents in one of its reserves, as people attempt to seek isolation amid the coronavirus.
Blean Woods near Canterbury has been a hot spot for this activity, with wardens left to clear up the mess afterwards. Unwanted visitors have also smashed the windows and doors of bird hides, pushed over fences and had fires at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, as well as swimming in the lake.
It comes on top of the trust saying it faces losing £800,000 due to the effects of the pandemic and the lockdown and half of its 100 staff have had to be furloughed. Director of conservation Paul Hadaway said: “The camping is happening much less now but when the lockdown was first put in place, people were looking for ways to isolate themselves and trying to do what made them feel safe.
“But to camp on anyone’s land, you have to have permission. “And what people are doing is not only breaking the rules it’s also inappropriate.”
All car parks and visitor facilities were closed at the charity’s 80 sites to encourage social distancing when lockdown was put in place.
The parks still remain open for those on foot.
Despite this, Kent Wildlife Trust has received several complaints over the phone or via email regarding this decision.