First Published: Friday 09 May 2008, 22:34
Wandsworth council has reminded Londoners that they may face prosecution if they break byelaws and light fires or barbecues in the borough's parks and commons.
With weather forecasters predicting hotter weather ahead parks officials and police will be stepping up their patrols.
The council's head of security and events Jack Adam said "Barbecues leave behind a scorched area of grass and there is a risk that some of the bigger 'cook outs' might get out of hand. There is also the problem of litter which some groups leave behind."
"We have also in the past had instances where people have put their hot barbecues in litter bins when they're leaving and this has sparked fires. The result is a lot of flames a lot of smoke and a damaged litter bin that has to be replaced at taxpayers' expense."
"The borough's parks and commons are a great place to be when the weather is hot. We are just asking people to have consideration for other park users and to take proper care of their surroundings."
The London Fire Brigade website includes advice on using barbecues safely.
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