VISITORS to Smithills Estate are being urged to treat staff and volunteers with respect following several incidents of verbal and physical abuse during the pandemic.

More people are visiting beauty spots to exercise during lockdown, but as visitor numbers have increased so has anti-social behaviour.

During the recent lockdown several members of staff and volunteers have been subject to physical and verbal abuse.

The Woodland Trust have a zero tolerance for abuse and those who have been affected have been supported during the incidents.

Although the nature of the abuse has not been disclosed, the outbursts have resulted from aspects of visiting the estate such as parking or dropping litter.

Smithills Estate have said that there are similar issues faced by other parks and gardens across the country.

Tracey Garrett, head of development at Smithills Estate said: "I think this is something that is going on across the country.

"There is a lot of frustration building up with everyone at the moment and we are seeing more visitors to the estate.

"We always look to give people a warm welcome at the estate and we do not tolerate any abuse towards our staff and volunteers - it is particularly upsetting for the latter as they give up their time to be here.

"The incidents are mainly verbal as people express their frustration, for example regarding parking or litter.

"When it snowed we had a few issues with people abandoning sledges too.

"We have had one incident of physical abuse, the details of which I cannot reveal, but any physical abuse is serious as it can be unpredictable.

"We're a close-knit team and we have been supporting each other through this.

"If anyone notices any incidents of abuse on our estate we urge them to report them to the police.

"Lots of our visitors have told us how valuable visiting the estate is to them, and we are happy to share this place with others.

"The majority of visitors are very respectful.

"Obviously everyone has worries at this time and we don't know what people are going through, but the estate is a place everyone should be able to enjoy."