There are calls for a council to take urgent action against people starting campfires on a popular beach after foliage was set alight.
Anxious resident Ian Callaway fears blazes on Walmer seafront will escalate if Dover District Council (DDC) does not start enforcing a public space protection order (PSPO).
The legislation – which has been in place since 2022 – allows the authority to tackle anti-social behaviour on Deal and Walmer beaches, meaning offenders could be prosecuted or issued a £100 fine.
But Mr Callaway, who has lived in Walmer for 16 years, says DDC needs to start cracking down on beach fires after he spotted a “considerable” fire last Saturday.
The former barrister, 64, says foliage was set alight in a “beyond appalling” act of vandalism.
“The power is there, but they need to actually enforce the PSPO,” he said.
“I told the council last year that there is a problem and it needs to be dealt with.
“Unless they dealt with it robustly, the issue would continue and probably escalate, which has happened.
“They need a system of policing the beach in some way, to make sure people are moved swiftly on, and if they don’t, they get hit with the penalties the PSPO refers to.
“I’ve got no problem with people enjoying the beach, but the blaze I saw was considerable, and where I draw the line is people destroying the habitat.”
DDC says its community safety team is “exploring options going forward to address the issue”.
But Mr Callaway, who swims in the sea every day, says it needs to take urgent action.
“I don’t want to throw a spanner in the works of people enjoying the coast, but the council has enacted this PSPO, and they need to act on it,” he said.
“You can’t allow these scenes to continue. Otherwise, the foliage, which is quite a feature of the beach, will disappear.
“If they don’t, then people ride roughshod over the system and take advantage. It’s clear that’s what’s happening.”
DDC renewed its PSPO in July last year as the original order was set to expire.
It covers unlawful camping, street drinking and dog fouling, among other issues, but does not prohibit barbecues.
Last year, there were fears the legislation would mean people would no longer be able to enjoy a drink on the beach.
The rules make it an offence to refuse to stop drinking in public or hand over bottles of alcohol when requested by police or an authorised council officer.
But DDC leader Cllr Kevin Mills (Lab) said at the time that it would help prevent shocking scenes of seaside disorder and violence seen in parts of the county, with Broadstairs the worst-affected town.
He insisted council bosses were not being “party poopers”.
In a statement this week, a DDC spokesman said it is “aware” of the fire in Walmer and is “looking into the matter”.
“Our community safety team is exploring options going forward, and our waste team has requested an additional litter pick at the location,” he said.
“A PSPO is in place, prohibiting unauthorised camping in the area.
“PSPOs are intended to deal with nuisance or problems in an area that cause harm to the quality of life of the local community.”
