Police confirm how to report neighbours flouting hosepipe ban from Friday

Police have told households how to report people flouting a hosepipe ban which goes into effect on Friday and affects millions of UK households.

From today (July 11), Yorkshire Water is putting a blanket ban on using hosepipes, with restrictions in place in several counties of England including North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside, set to affect the estimated 5 million people who currently live in the four counties.

It is the first water firm to announce a hosepipe ban in the UK this summer, though more could follow as we enter another heatwave and temperatures between 28C and 34C in the coming days forecast by the Met Office, with little to no rain forecast in the UK this weekend.

Now, North Yorkshire Police has told people how they should report breaches of the hosepipe ban - and it's not by calling 999.

It said: "Our phone lines are for emergencies - not for reporting hosepipe ban breaches! From 11 July there are hosepipe restrictions in place across Yorkshire.

"Any call made to the police about this could divert our call handlers away from dealing with real emergencies.

"So, if you have any questions about the restrictions, or any concerns about a potential breach, we would please ask that you follow the latest advice from Yorkshire Water, or your water provider.

"You'll find a link in the comments below with all the information you need about this.

"Let's keep our colleagues free to take genuine calls from those really in need of help.

"As always, if a crime is in progress or if there is an immediate risk to person or property, always dial 999.

"If a crime is not in progress, then please consider reporting the incident online to us via our website in the first instance. Alternatively, you can call 101."

Yorkshire Water says it's brought in the ban due to the 'driest spring on record' across its supply area.

It said: "From 11th July, there are hosepipe restrictions in place across Yorkshire following the driest spring on record.

"While we're out 24/7 fixing leaks and looking after your water, we're asking customers to put down their hosepipes, so we can let our reservoirs recover.

"Our reservoir levels haven't actually increased since the last week of January. Normally our groundwater sources and reservoirs get topped up over spring when the weather is changeable but this year we've had the driest spring on record and Yorkshire is officially in drought."

The firm told people to stop watering plants, cleaning cars, filling swimming pools, paddling pools or hot tubs, and stop filing ponds, or cleaning paths or outdoor surfaces.

Breaking the hosepipe ban is illegal, under the Water Industry Act 1991. Yorkshire Water says: "These prohibited water uses are covered by section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, as amended by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Further definitions may be found in the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010."

Those breaking the rules could be fined £1,000. It said: "We hope that our customers would respect the restrictions, if not, we do have the ability to enforce it, and customers could be subject to a £1,000 personal fine which will be paid to the Treasury. Many customers have already voluntarily been cutting back on using water guzzling devices to do their bit and we are really grateful for that."

How to report people breaking hosepipe ban

In a question on its FAQs, Yorkshire Water is asked: "Are you asking your customers to report their neighbours if they see them breaking the restrictions?"

The firm said: "We will be asking everyone to adhere to the restrictions. If we are told repeatedly about someone breaking the restrictions, the first thing we do is remind them of their obligations. This is usually enough. However, if they continue to use a hosepipe, we may escalate our enforcement accordingly.

"Our colleagues are regularly out and about as part of their day-to-day work. If they spot people breaching the restrictions as they go about their day-to-day jobs, they may speak to them, or we may send them a letter reminding them of their obligations."