Dilemma, would you report this, unauthorised camping

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I live in a fairly rural spot (although near towns), by home is a small private wood , however it has a public footpath through it, which us that live here use, also local dog walkers, you are meant to stick to the tiny overgrown path through it only , which we all do.
But three tents have appeared in the undergrowth all joined up together. I can't see this as being 'wild camping' as not a beauty stop, a small scruffy private wood with the constant hum of the bypass. No water source anywhere. Normally I'd be the sort of person to see if someone is in trouble , if they need anything, but I 'm uneasy re this. A huge amount of rubbish has appeared near these tents, and there's been campfires, and there's lots of wildife here eg baby deer in the undergrowth, badgers, nesting birds.
Last night I was going to just walk past the tents but the wood got quite dark and I felt uneasy (no one could hear me if anything happened). Suddenly a man came out of a bush in front of me. Maybe just going to toilet but I felt uneasy because as I said, no one could hear me so I just turned heel.
Also I've heard lots of drunken shouting some nights
If anyone's in trouble /homeless I'd always want to help but can't help feeling uneasy as why come here to a private wood. Also our local pub is putting up all the local town's homeless. If you didn't want to scare a lone woman wouldn't you just stay hidden rather than just appear out of of a bush in twilight...
I feel I can't walk anymore as this is the only route I can take from home. I don't want to report personally but others are saying to...would you?

These are probably homeless people who have a very hard life and you want them removed because they make you feel uneasy. Despite them not actually doing anything. And yes, private, plastic rubbish etc, but that's not really the reason for your issue is it?

I don't mean to be mean, but it just sounds as if you want these dirty rough people moving on where they can't upset your sensibilities.

Given the amount of forest fires that have been occurring recently due to people with disposable BBQs/campfires and the lack of rain, I'd feel inclined to report this.

Of course you must report them. It's really crap for people who are homeless and living in tents but they can't set up home in the woods. It might be different if they were really miles away from anybody but they clearly aren't.

Councils give homeless people tents don’t they?

If you suspect it's someone sleeping rough contact Streetlink

They can visit and have a chat with the person to see if they are homeless and can offer support or accommodation.

Sounds like homeless people to me. I wouldn't report it to the police, maybe streetlink.

I'd tell a homeless serving charity. But no one else. Homeless people are trying to isolate best they can. It's a terrible time.

Did they have dogs?
Are there Badger setts nearby?
I'm sorry but I would assume the worst.

Definitely phone the police.

I'm sorry but I would assume the worst.

Why? Occam's Razor. Probably homeless people.

Ok I had a peek. IS wild camping. A group of lads , probably teens, sitting on chairs by the tents and cooking, amongst the brambles!
An odd wood to do it in. But I think a good thing, all young people should try it.
However , there have been strange older men hanging around a lot. I was right to be uneasy. But these tents are fine

Obviouspretzel, I've always helped the homeless and still would. Given coats, food, money, always would, would have in my home too if it felt right.
These are def just young lads having fun however I was uneasy because have been strange people hanging around and a lot of ground fires and litter

Dumb question but what is “wild camping”?

I’m from the US - we just say “camping“ to mean sleeping outside, anywhere, in a tent. We’d also say it for taking a caravan into the wilderness or on to a camp ground.

Is “wild camping“ something specific?

To me it just means no facilities.. here camp sites have toilet blocks... so to me it means, not official campsite, going where you want, so you have no washing or toilet facilities...here there is no water... and wild camping is not legal in most of England (if anywhere?)

Camp grounds are something you pay for, even if they have no facilities, eg a farmer may rent a field, you pay him for a pitch but there might be no facilities

Totally missing the point of the thread, but...

Your cat goes for walks with you?! 🐱😂

Yes we walk for a few hours a day where we live ! :)

I love the idea of a cat going on a family walk. 😁

Why? Live and let live. Get on with your own business

This

Got it! Thank you!

Also think it’s awesome that your cat goes on walks with you

Love it that your cat goes for walks with you!
Camping anywhere is not legal in England.
But it does sound ok right enough

wild camping normally involves carrying all your own stuff you find a suitable stream or loch to camp beside you dig a hole to bury toilet waste and when you leave ideally there is nothing but footprints behind
wild camping is legal in Scotland in almost all wild places unless a specific local law banning it ( it is illegal around some parts of Loch Lomond)
In Scotland there is a right to roam on almost all land and inland water that is not a private garden ( or the normal curtelage of a property) or belongs to MOD, an airport or the railways, a quarry, a farmyard and the part of a farm that is planted with crops, under construction or school playing fields; legally you can roam around most of Balmoral the few acres around the castle that would be considered formal gardens are private but the whole estate is not
A right to roam generally means on foot and includes hiking biking and camping, you do not have the right to pick flowers, fruit or fish shoot hunt etc you can't damage stuff or churn up the ground with quad bikes or pollute water supplies etc

So wild camping is fine, but homeless isn't? Wtf, of all the crap I've read on here. These tents are 'fine' just because it meets something that's acceptable to you, and all young people should 'try it' - but no thought to people who are having to live like that through no choice? Who most likely don't really want to be living like that? The amount of privilege is disgusting...