Freedom campers accused of defecating on front lawn

Two Israeli freedom campers have been accused of parking their hire van on the wrong side of the street in a Christchurch cul-de-sac, then defecating on a resident's front lawn.

Westport Hire and Power Equipment Centre owner James Rusbatch said he had received a phone call on Sunday from an incensed man saying he had taken photos of the two Israelis going to the toilet on his lawn and would be contacting the police.

Mr Rusbatch said the Israelis had also twice tried to return vehicles and "do a runner" without filling the petrol tanks.

His staff had sent them to the Westport police station today, after they had returned the van, but there was no record of a complaint either here or in Christchurch.

When staff had questioned the men they had looked guilty and just shrugged it off.

Mr Rusbatch said not all freedom campers were irresponsible.

He planned to get some kits from Freedom Camping New Zealand to help explain campers' responsibility to them. He was also looking at installing toilets in the vans.

- NZPA