A SHOCKED wildlife charity has hit out over “frankly disgraceful behaviour” including flytipping at local nature reserves.

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust’s (BBOWT) said there has been a surge of fires, fly tipping and littering across the county as lockdown measures have been eased.

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This included a fire at Wokefield and scores of litter left around Hosehill near Theale.

Land Management and People Engagement Director for BBOWT, Christopher Williams said: “I’ve been shocked, saddened and angered by the frankly disgraceful behaviour and actions by some people which we have witnessed at our nature reserves in the last few weeks.

“These special places have been lovingly cared for by volunteers and staff for decades and it is very upsetting to see the impact of the actions of a few thoughtless individuals.

“I’ve worked in the sector for nearly 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like this.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in vandalism, fly tipping, litter, fires, out of control dogs worrying our livestock, people feeding and abusing our grazing ponies."

He continued: “People have been disturbing important nesting sites by playing, swimming and kayaking in lakes and ponds set aside for wildlife.

“People have been having picnics, playing football, flying kites and drones, camping and having BBQs at these places which are meant to be places where wildlife can thrive.

“None of these activities are permitted at our sites and they are doing untold damage to the prospects of rare and precious wildlife.

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“Our Land management teams are already struggling to cope with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak and this is causing additional and unnecessary stress to those dedicated staff and volunteers who care for these places.”

The charity details on its website some of the 'shocking' signs of anti social behaviour and fires that have destroyed parks and reserves locally.

In Reading

Wokefield in Reading has seen fires and BBQs whilst Bowdown Woods, which is south east of Newbury, has had cases of fly tipping.

Similarly, at Moor Copse near Reading, there have been “masses of flytipping”.

People have also been creating new paths through the meadows, damaging wildflowers and potential nesting areas for skylark.

Hosehill near Theale has seen people littering, having BBQs and football games on the land.

There have also been “dogs out of control chasing wildfowl and young”.

BBOWT’s website said people have been creating paths through the reedbed to get to the lake which is disturbing warblers.

Greenham Common in Thatcham has seen people breaking into old buildings and causing “lots of damage to structure and roof” as well as drinking alcohol.

People have been “going to the toilet behind the currently locked toilet building” at Snelsmore Common which is north west of Newbury.

Motorcyclists have gone as far as to cut the padlock/chain at Rack Marsh near Newbury to gain access to the river crossing.

At Thatcham Reedbeds and nature discovery centre there have been instances of vandalism, flytipping and littering.

In Bracknell

Shepperlands farm in Wokingham has seen cases of flytipping and Wildmoor Heath in Crowthorne has seen fires caused by BBQs.

BBOWT explain on Wildmoor, people have cut fencing to reach restricted and protected areas of the reserve.

BBOWT is asking anyone who witnesses any anti-social and criminal activity at any of the nature reserves, to contact the police on 101.