A group of five men enjoying a barbecue in the hot weather at Dovestone Reservoir, near Saddleworth, could be fined up to £2,500 for breaching a public spaces protection order.
The men were discovered on Wednesday August 10 by local fire services and officers from Greater Manchester Police, who have now warned the public not to barbecue in the moors because of the fire risk it could pose.
Manchester Police is using social media to ensure others are aware of the risks.
A tweet from Greater Manchester Police read: “Earlier today five men were caught by GMP Oldham and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service having a barbecue at Dovestone Reservoir.
“Their details were taken for prosecution with fines of up to £2,500 for breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order. Please don’t be tempted to do this!
“Despite the warm weather, we can’t stress enough the importance of never barbecuing on the moors or in the countryside – it’s a huge fire risk and a risk to the environment.”
Dovestone Reservoir has experienced a dramatic drop in water levels due to hot weather and little rainfall
(Greater Manchester Police)
Last month, police issued a warning after several bushfires broke out in moorland on nearby Saddleworth Moor, near a car park next to the reservoir.
Dovestone Reservoir has experienced a dramatic drop in water levels in recent weeks due to hot weather and little rainfall.
The heatwave, which has seen temperatures reach over 30C in parts of Greater Manchester, has left reservoirs in the area below half capacity, according to United Utilities.
Dovestone Reservoir is located east of Oldham and north-east of Ashton-under-Lyme and supplies drinking water to the local area.
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