THE COMMUNITY has reacted with anger after people camped out in motorhomes on Rickerby Park, failed to clean-up after themselves - leaving human waste behind.

Two motorhome vehicles were camped out on Rickerby Park on Monday and a member of the public told The Cumberland News that he was shocked to find litter and human waste nearby.

The vehicles arrived at Rickerby Park on Monday and departed on Tuesday without cleaning up their mess.

An anonymous Carlisle resident, who volunteers with Friends of Rickerby Park said: "I go walking by Hadrian’s Camp on a regular basis and there’s plenty of pitches there, it’s not for want of having somewhere to go."

He added that he does not have an issue with members of the traveller community, but the act of littering.

“It’s all the mess that’s been left that’s what my gripe is. You shouldn’t have to go through a public park and see human excrement left behind.”

Carlisle City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that a small encampment, comprising two vehicles, appeared at the beginning of the week in Rickerby Park. They moved on soon after. We have assessed the site and will remove any excess waste. Any concerns regarding anti-social behaviour or criminal damage should be reported to 101.”

They said: “After we were informed of the vehicles, steps were taken to move them on. However when we visited the site they had already vacated the area.”

Carlisle City councillor Elizabeth Mallinson said that she is “disappointed” by the act and believes it points to a general lack of respect for the “beautiful city” of Carlisle and the county’s green spaces.

She said: “We’re seeing more of this through Covid-19. People think they can come and camp, public toilets and restaurants are shut so there’s nowhere for people to relieve themselves.

“It’s not only one set of people in the community it’s everyone. They were being moved on I do know that. We had something like 12 caravans there recently.”

She added that the issue is not limited to one group and that attitudes need to change throughout the community.

“Some of the sites they did clean up the litter but it’s just the same, it could be Carlisle people out for the day in Rickerby. Wonderful for them to do it but please take your litter home.”

Councillor Mallinson was one of a group of elected representatives and volunteers who gave time out of their Easter Bank Holiday weekend to tackle litter in Knowefield Wood.

The woods had been the scene of anti-social behaviour including fires.

Detritus was collected including discarded face masks.

She added that litter in green spaces poses a risk to wildlife and pets.

“A dog cut it’s paw on a broken vodka bottle.”

She said that the situation in the area is getting out of control.

“Gangs of youths set fire to trees, there is horrendous litter and loud music. A lot of residents are too frightened to tell police for fear of reprisals.”

Councillor Mallinson said: “This has been going on for 12 months.”

“Where are the parents? That’s the message.”

Environmental teams from Carlisle City Council will be deployed to clean up excess waste left behind by the encampment on Rickerby Park.

Previous acts of anti-social behaviour on the park grounds included damage to a memorial plaque.

“It costs you and I as tax payers a lot of money” said councillor Mallinson.

“It’s been a disastrous weekend in the county with litter. I think it’s unacceptable.”

She said: “It’s a beautiful city we’ve got, beautiful spaces, please take your rubbish home.”