Five men enjoying a barbecue in the sun had their fun cut short yesterday by police at Dovestone Reservoir. They are now facing fines worth up to £2,500 for what was deemed as antisocial behaviour by the authorities.
All of the group were caught out by fire services and police for Saddleworth and Lees. Taking a barbecue onto the moors ‘poses a huge risk of fire’, according to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Greater Manchester Police took to social media urging other not to follow suit.
The Facebook post from GMP said: “Earlier today, five males were caught by GMP Saddleworth & Lees and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) having a BBQ at Dovestone Reservoir. Their details were taken for prosecution with fines up to £2,500 for breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order.
“Please do not be tempted to do this! Despite the warm weather, we can't stress enough the importance of never having a barbecue on the moors or in the countryside - it poses a huge risk of fire and is also a risk to the environment.”
It comes a couple of weeks after a large fire and police presence was called out to another group having a barbecue at the beauty spot. Officers at the time on July 29 said eight men were spoken to and had their details taken with a view to being prosecuted.
And the incident comes after a series of fires on land near to the reservoir in recent weeks. Between Sunday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 12 - five fires are understood to have been started deliberately near to the car park.
Traces of accelerant have been found at three of the 'seats' - where the blazes are believe to have originated. On Monday, July 18, a fire was also started by a disposable BBQ in a 'thoughtless and irresponsible' act on the moors near to the reservoir.
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