New powers brought in to protect the New Forest have resulted in 152 "interventions" involving more than 700 people.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) ban people from feeding and petting New Forest ponies and also prohibit the use of barbecues and campfires.

Refusal to comply can result in a fixed penalty notice or even a £1,000 fine if the case goes to court.

Introduced by New Forest District Council at the start of the summer, the PSPOs have been used by Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA), and the Verderers.

Daily Echo: New powers prohibit people from feeding and petting the New Forest's famous poniesNew powers prohibit people from feeding and petting the New Forest's famous ponies (Image: Holly Marie)

A Forestry England spokesperson said: "Over the first three months the New Forest team used the new powers to intervene in 152 incidents involving over 700 people.

"More than 120 of the incidents involved petting and feeding ponies or donkeys. Those involved were made aware of the rules and the potential fine.

"Only around a fifth of the overall number of PSPO-related incidents involved BBQs and fires on the Forest."

The figure is thought to have been influenced by this summer's mixed weather, which was in sharp contrast to the 2022 heatwave.

"Despite this, 30 engagements were recorded where staff intervened using the potential fine to stop the use of a number of BBQs, campfires and even a pizza oven," said the spokesperson.

Daily Echo: New powers prohibit people from feeding and petting the New Forest poniesNew powers prohibit people from feeding and petting the New Forest ponies (Image: Annette Gregory)

Charlotte Belcher, community manager for Forestry England, added: "Our focus in these first few months of these new rules has really been on education.

"Together with our partners and the local community, a huge amount of effort has gone into making sure as many people as possible are aware of them and understand why they are in place.

"It's often the case that they just don’t realise the harm these activities can cause, especially when they try to get too close to the ponies.

"When people understand the risk, and how they can change their behaviour to help protect the Forest, most are much more likely to comply without the need for a fine or further action."

READ NEXT: Go-ahead for plan to impose £1,000 fines for feeding and petting ponies

Steve Avery, the NPA's executive director of strategy and planning, said the PSPOs were having a "really positive impact".

Cllr Dan Poole, portfolio holder for community safety, and wellbeing at the district council, added: "The early results of these additional powers are exactly what we hoped for – education and understanding of why following the New Forest Code is so important."