'Selfish' off-road drivers making South Lakeland beauty spot impassable - police

11:23am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

'Selfish' off-road drivers making South Lakeland beauty spot impassable - police 'Selfish' off-road drivers making South Lakeland beauty spot impassable - police

A SOUTH Lakeland beauty spot and popular walking area has become impassable in parts because of ‘selfish’ off-road drivers, according to police.

Officers said the Kendal side of the Helm, at Oxenholme, had been ‘scarred’ and ‘churned up’ by people performing stunts in vehicles on the saturated ground.

Offenders, who police believe use the land when it’s dark, are being warned they are risking their safety by doing so.

And they have been told they could have their vehicles taken off them and be given a hefty fine.

Sergeant John Stephens, of Cumbria Police, said: “I am a regular walker on the Helm, as are many other members of the community.

“Some areas of the Helm have become impassable, even on foot, because of the selfish behaviour of others.

“Looking at some of the tracks, it is obvious there is a real danger of drivers losing control.

“They risk their vehicles turning over, causing serious injury to drivers, passengers and anybody who happens to be in the area.

“It is believed that most, if not all, of these incidents are occurring during the hours of darkness.

“If anybody in the area, whether walking or local residents, sees any vehicle being driven off road onto the Helm then please make a note of the registration number and contact Kendal Police on 101.”

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: “Police officers would like to remind motorists that driving off road without lawful authority is an offence which carries the risk of a heavy fine and even having their vehicles seized.”

Friends of the Lake District bought part of the eastern side of the Helm in 2007 in a bid to open up public access and improve the landscape for nature conservation.

And, although the damage pictured is on land not owned by the charity, it echoed Sgt Stephens' comments.

Communications officer Dawn Groundsell said: “We are concerned that the selfish and illegal actions of a few people should make parts of the Helm impassable for the many people who use it every day, causing a danger to themselves, passers-by, wildlife and grazing animals in the area.”

Comments(25)

hemyfan says...
1:02am Thu 3 Jan 13

Lock them up and throw away the ignition key.

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timbermagic says...
2:20am Thu 3 Jan 13

o look on the other page . some ones got lost on the fells and needed rescuing ........lets either leave them there or fence the fells off . cost of rescuing IDIOTS ????? a **** sight more than bit of mud . and a lot more danger to people and dogs of the rescue teams etc

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SpikeIt says...
12:13pm Thu 3 Jan 13

There is no connection between idiots damaging The Helm by driving on it and people getting lost on the fells so why try and divert attention to a separate issue?

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WilliamT says...
1:01pm Thu 3 Jan 13

If I lived nearby I would be only too pleased to report the registration numbers on 101- however, my experience with reporting things to the police is that they just say "your report is not proof. Goodbye". I suspect they would not act even if a photograph was provided.

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nixon1 says...
1:05pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I have seen the vehicle a few times in the past few months trying to access this section of the Helm, not being able to get past the first single track section past the off road car park. I don't remember the reg but it's a young lad impressing his girlfriend and friends. Ill be taking a number plate for sure next time.

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zaney5 says...
1:48pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Probably the same idiots that hang around ASDA car park at night reving their engines and trying to be cool. If only they realised how stupid they looked!

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Kendmoor says...
3:39pm Thu 3 Jan 13

with timbermagic's response it smacks of someone who knows something about it - might be worth handing his IP/reg details over to the rozzers for a couple of questions and a look at his vehicle! ;)

I agree with zaney, you'd think they'd realise that no matter what the age of people in the vicinity, as soon as they rev or drive off at speed the only person they impress is themselves - the rest of the planet instantly just thinks "****" - no exceptions. The harder the rev, or faster they drive...the bigger the **** they are in the onlooker/hearers mind. Simple maths.

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nixon1 says...
3:44pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I'm going to have to disagree. The Cars that hang around in the car parks have often had their suspension lowered and various other cosmetics done to appear road race worthy. I very much doubt it is these same vehicles that are able to access the above pictured section of the helm, let alone get over the cattle grids.

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Kendmoor says...
4:05pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I should clarify that I was agreeing with Zaney on the point that they look (and sound) stupid - pretty clear that any of those cars would get stuck in seconds.

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tictoc1 says...
4:38pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Which part of the Helm is this? Is it right at the top?

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I know nothing says...
5:03pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Years ago they used to have Hill Climbs for motor bikes on Helm.

Perhaps if most of the local Green Lanes had not been downgraded 4x4 drivers would have somewhere to go.

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zaney5 says...
5:33pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I know nothing wrote:
Years ago they used to have Hill Climbs for motor bikes on Helm.

Perhaps if most of the local Green Lanes had not been downgraded 4x4 drivers would have somewhere to go.
And perhaps said 4x4 drivers should abide by the law and stop being so selfish.

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WilliamT says...
5:37pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Agreed. We don't want 4WD vehicles to have anywhere to go other than roads.

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Kendmoor says...
6:52pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Loosing the distinction there a little there William.

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fourcandles says...
7:01pm Thu 3 Jan 13

These complete idiots are causing environmental vandalism on a grand scale. They are giving 4x4 drivers a bad name and should be ashamed. I regularly walk my dogs on the helm day and night and have been trying to spot them for a while. Just hope they are caught soon and justice is done. Watch out idiots.

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timbermagic says...
2:34am Fri 4 Jan 13

kendmoor ..... go a head and report me to the police because you have no idea how much your barking up the wrong tree.

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searcher21c says...
5:39am Fri 4 Jan 13

How do we know that this has been caused by 4wd vehicles?

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Adam_Kendal says...
9:31am Fri 4 Jan 13

Question: With Helme being "Common Land" would the offenders be liable to prosecution if caught?

Please don’t think for one second that I am on the side of these vandals, I’m not. I also frequently walk my dogs up there, but I am just curious. Besides, my Herbie Van wouldn’t get up there!

Since most “commons” are based on ancient rights, that is to say “common law”, which pre-date “statute law” laid down by parliament, is there a law which could be used to prosecute the offenders?

The land on the Kendal side of Helme is owned by a “Commoner(s)” (Owners of the land), would they need to bring an accusation of Criminal Damage instead of the Police trying to prosecute them using rules of the road as I am sure the rules of the road would not apply in this case.

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nixon1 says...
10:03am Fri 4 Jan 13

tictoc1 wrote:
Which part of the Helm is this? Is it right at the top?
It's in the flat dipped section half way between the 2 highest north and south points by the boundary wall seperating the front and back of the Helm.

It's not that i have anything against 4x4 vehicles and off road persuits but there is a big difference between legally driving down an rough terrain farmers owned lane (providing permission is given) and going round and round in circles for 20 minutes and causing a great amount of environmental damage.

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tictoc1 says...
12:25pm Fri 4 Jan 13

Thanks nixon1.
Adam_Kendal, I was wondering the same? Would it need to be the land owner/s that would need to complain? Or have they done already, hence why the police are involved?

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Mud lover.com says...
5:54pm Sat 5 Jan 13

I am sorry but seriously some of these comments are redickuless! Lock them up? Really people!! And it is not impossible to walk over ruts and I would be more bothered about the amout of dog poo around and think we should be doing something about that then anything else! I stopped walking my dog up there coz very were you step there was dog poo how about the police do something about instead of all this silly stuff !!!!!!!!!!

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zaney5 says...
6:18pm Sat 5 Jan 13

I'm glad you think it's silly. It'll be very silly if someone is involved in an accident.

Does that sound "redickuless" to you?

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Mud lover.com says...
6:59pm Sat 5 Jan 13

Lift is for living not to be controlled

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zaney5 says...
6:16pm Sun 6 Jan 13

I'll take you seriously when you learn to spell.

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Ladyxxmacbeth says...
11:37pm Sun 6 Jan 13

Mud, mud, glorious mud. Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood....

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