Concerns over walkers trespassing across Horsham farmland

Concerns are growing over walkers trespassing onto private farmland in Horsham.
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Gamekeeper Phillip Lucas fears that crops will be ruined and livestock disturbed by people tramping across fields at the Sun Oak estate leading to Hampers Lane.

He said it was an increasing problem. “This time of year we are in the last month before harvest, It is important we protect it and having people, with or without dogs, going through will damage it.”

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He has put up signs pointing out it is private land. One was broken off and thrown away, he says, and another was sawn off. “That’s criminal damage,” he said, “and who goes out walking armed with a saw and hammer and nails?”

The defaced sign SUS-200714-124704001The defaced sign SUS-200714-124704001
The defaced sign SUS-200714-124704001

After sawing off the sign, a printed note stating ‘Public Footpath’ was nailed to it. Another sign had been defaced.

Phillip said he had challenged some people when he spotted them on the land. “They say they have been walking here for years and I say ‘well, you have been trespassing for years’. People don’t care.”

He said the area is lodged with West Susssex County Council as a ‘non footpath’ and renewed every three years.

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He said there were cows and a bull in one of the fields but he had found people on the land at all times of day and night. Many left gates open and trails of litter.

Gamekeeper Phillip Lucas SUS-200714-124810001Gamekeeper Phillip Lucas SUS-200714-124810001
Gamekeeper Phillip Lucas SUS-200714-124810001

“Teenagers light fires and drink beer then break the cans up and stuff them in the roots of trees. Some of the time they even camp out.”

But, he said, it wasn’t just teenagers, it was people of all ages. He called on parents to set an example and show “a little bit of respect for the countryside.”

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