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?