Needham Lake barbecue gathering criticised by Mid Suffolk District Council and Suffolk Police
Police and a council have slammed partygoers, who witnesses said ripped branches from trees and defecated in bushes at a Suffolk beauty spot.
On Sunday afternoon, Suffolk Police received a report of a large gathering in the barbecue area at Needham Lake, a popular family attraction.
Mid Suffolk District Council, which manages the lake between Stowmarket and Ipswich, said if misuse of the barbecue area continues it will have no option but to consider its removal.
Janice Lilley who lives nearby, described the situation on Sunday as intimidating and said she started to hear loud noises from the party at about 2pm on Sunday.
She said: “I witness it every time it happens because I live near the lake.
“I also own the land beside the lakes and have issues with people using the barbecues spreading over onto my land, including the human poo.
“It has been going on for years and it has to stop.”
“I am sick to death of it as a local. I am sick to death of it as a landowner. I am sick to death of it being a businesswoman.
“They are breaking the law.”
A Suffolk Police spokesman said it received a report of a large gathering at about 5pm on Sunday and officers attended and monitored the situation.
“Attendees started to disperse around 6.30pm,” they said.
“It is very disappointing to hear of the behaviour of some people at the location.
“We continue to liaise with our partner agencies including the council to ensure the site remains an attractive place to visit and look to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Needham Lake is one of Mid Suffolk District Council’s most popular tourist spots, attracting more than 38,000 visitors a year.
A Mid Suffolk District Council spokeswoman said: “ We continue to invest heavily in facilities to find balance between providing somewhere accessible that the whole community can enjoy, whilst protecting and enhancing local wildlife, and find it deplorable that the actions of a comparative few are threatening the enjoyment of this beautiful site for others.
“We employ people to deal with littering around the site, we have regular security patrols, and we have additional seasonal rangers on site through the summer – but crimes and anti-social behaviour need to be reported to the police, so appropriate measures can be taken and enforcement carried out.
“If a crime is in progress, visitors should dial 999, or they should report anti-social behaviour by calling 101 or reporting it online.
“In terms of the barbecue area, this was created – in addition to the café and toilet facilities – for families and small groups to enjoy, and to deter damage from barbecues being lit in less suitable parts of the site.
“There are clear notices to explain what we expect from our visitors, but if misuse of the area continues, we will have no option but to consider its removal.”
