In reply to La benya:
> It is already criminal if you don't leave when directed to as Aggravated Trespass is an arrestable offence (no idea why Travellers get away with it). so why would anything change?
_if you don't leave when directed_ - You've highlighted the change yourself.
> the land owners isn't likely to go searching for wild campers any more than they do now (in the sense of legitimate, considerate wild campers) however it gives them powers to deal with those that take the piss and give everyone that does it properly a bad name.
Didn't you just say that it's already a criminal offence not to leave when directed?
> Further, by reading the intentions of the law, if that is how it will be written i think the courts will have to decide what 'Reside' means and whether it incorporates ramblers (no) wild campers or other groups.
I'm not sure that's very reassuring!
> Finally, do you really think police are going to walk up a mountain to arrest you for camping? you cant even get them to attend your house if you've been burgled!
As I say, I don't think I'd take my 6 year old out overnight wild camping if we could get arrested no matter how unlikely, it would hardly be fair to put them in that position.