150 Illegal campers leave damaged Dartmoor site

More than 150 people have left a site on Dartmoor after camping illegally for more than a month.

The Rainbow Family of Living Light told ITV News they planned to stay at Holne woods for a lunar cycle.

However they were facing an eviction notice to vacate the site by 5pm on Tuesday 22 July.

Dartmoor National Park rangers confirmed the group left of their own accord but they were supported by police who visited the site on Monday and Tuesday to ensure they had gone.

A Dartmoor National Park spokesperson said there has never been an illegal gathering of the same scale on the land.

Before the coronavirus pandemic wild camping had been allowed in some parts of the moor but this is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the ancient woodlands that need protecting.

Read more:

• Police could be brought in to evict an illegal gathering of 150 people on Dartmoor

• Dartmoor National Park asks public to consider local residents and businesses before visiting