Illegal camping and people using the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path as a toilet over the weekend has been slammed by representatives of the National Park Authority.

With holiday accommodation opening from Saturday and an influx of holidaymakers arriving in Pembrokeshire, the hot weather also saw many visitors and daytrippers visit the county.

However, despite the tourism sector slowly re-opening, current Welsh Government legislation does not permit camping to take place - but that does not seem to have stopped some from pitching up in Pembrokeshire according to director of countryside, community and visitor services at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, James Parkin who took to social media today to state: “I’m absolutely livid that some people treat our National Park with complete and utter disrespect - we’ve had a spate of illegal camping throughout the park this weekend as well as people using the Coast Path as a toilet, damage to signage, and to the car park at Carew Castle too!”

With reductions of lockdown restrictions this month, those planning to get out and enjoy Pembrokeshire have been constantly urged to be respectful to the countryside by the authorities.

Please be aware when using Rights of Way in the countryside that you are crossing private land. Whilst most of the paths are open some may still have advisory signs on them. There will be good reasons for this and we request that you respect landowners’ privacy and business.

During normal times routes are normally unrestricted, but at present there are some routes that aren’t available.

Therefore please follow and observe any signs you may come across.

Please be courteous and take particular care where the route passes through the curtilage of private residences or through working farm yards.

Be considerate and try to use an alternative way marked route where possible.

The countryside is a working environment and visitors need to be aware of the following:

• Follow any diversion signs provided by landowner.

• Keep a safe distance from other people and use wide areas to pass each other safely.

• Respect landowners as they may be self-isolating or have vulnerable people living with them.

• Ensure dogs are kept on a short lead, but beware of livestock as they may chase your dog.

• Do not let your dog come into contact with other dogs or livestock.

• Clean up after your dog – do not leave dog fouling bags behind, please take your bags home with you.

• Keep to the line of the path, do not allow your dog to run free through crops or chase livestock.

• Ensure gates are not left open allowing livestock to escape

• Respect the property and business you are passing through.

• Keep away from livestock and watch out for farm machinery.

• As part of good personal hygiene always wash your hands after visiting the countryside, take your litter and any used masks or gloves home with you so you can dispose of them safely.

Please respect and look after each other and safely enjoy beautiful Pembrokeshire.

Rights of Way issues can be reported to either Pembrokeshire County Council or the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Dyfed Powys Police have also stated: “Our officers will be out and about across the force, making sure everyone is staying safe and respectful. With that in mind, we ask that you be mindful of people who live in the areas you are visiting by acting responsibly – we will not tolerate antisocial or illegal behaviour that will impact on them or other tourists.

“Please park considerately, leave gates and property as you find them, be careful with barbecues and don’t light fires, keep dogs under control, and check what facilities will be open before you start your journey.

“We will be working closely with partners to protect beaches, countryside and waterways – you can help us by making sure you take all your rubbish and belongings with you, and leaving no trace of your visit.”

Tenby landmark St Catherine’s Island situated alongside Castle Beach also reported damage caused by trespassers over the weekend.

“Thank you so much to the pond life that broke in and trampled several fences and cut approximately 100 cable ties last night - this has been reported to the police, who now have photographic and CCTV evidence,” the Island’s social media account reported on Sunday.

“We are a non-profit Island and so therefore whatever we have at the tax year is given to various charities. Thanks to your selfish and infantile actions (actually, that is insulting to infants), there will now be less to give them - in a year where everyone is struggling anyway.”

A spokeperson for Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “We received a report on July 12 of alleged criminal damage at St Catherine's Island in Tenby overnight on July 11.

“Repair tape and cable ties were cut, but the area beyond was secured and so no further access was gained.”

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious, or who has information that could assist police, should visit bit.ly/DPPReportOnline, email [email protected], or call Tenby Police on 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired you can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Damage was also found to have been caused to Tenby’s skate and play park on Sunday morning, which remains closed to the public due to Covid-19 legislation, with the gates to the facility broken.