POLICE are clamping down on offenders causing damage to a site of scientific interest.
Officers located and warned an off-road driver who has been illegally using a vehicle at The Fleet lagoon - an area of water between Chesil Beach and the mainland.
According to police, the body of water and the surrounding area, which includes Pirates Cove, is a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI).
A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Officers are aware of the ongoing issue of vehicles being driven illegally off road at the Fleet Nature Reserve.
"This is a site of SSI and as such the vehicles are causing soil compaction which is damaging.
"Due to this an offender has been located and issued a Section 59 notice.
"This is not the first Section 59 that has been issued and police will continue to maintain a robust approach if further offenders are located.
"Please be advised that all signs at the site are currently under review and will be updated shortly.
"Pirates Cove is part of Chesil Bank and the Fleet Nature Reserve, which is a European Marine Site and Site of SSI.
"Vehicles crossing the mudflats here have a potential to damage the special interests of this very important site.
"The compaction of sand damages protected vegetation such as the Shrubby seablite Suaeda vera and Sea-purslane Atriplex portulacoides.
"The compaction of sediments may also cause unseen damage to marine invertebrates which live under the sands surface, these are a vital part of the ecology of the Fleet, animals which clean up detritus and provide a vital food source to fish and birds."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel