Police escort to service station
 

Since the murder of the Scandinavian tourists, we have been interrupted by the police at two different wildcamp spots. These were picnic spots near a road. In both cases the police were very friendly but insisted that we move to a safer place. They then escorted us to busy service stations.
At more secluded spots we camped as usual.

I received a message from another traveller last week saying the police had phoned the campsite they were in to check they'd arrived safely.

I guess its to be expected after the recent events, the authorities have always recognised how important the tourist trade is to the country

Thanks guys.

Do you think these actions will be country wide or confined to particular areas.

I think they'll be countrywide for a while until things settle down a bit.

Mark - where were you moved on?

Once at Settat, and then a couple of days ago near Massa, Agadir area. So, quite different locations. We were visible from the road, but it did not happen once in the previous five months.

We will probably use campsites a bit more and make sure wildcamps are out of sight. The worse part isbeing disturbed after dark and having to drive at night, which I normally avoid.

I can't blame them. The stakes are high for Morocco in general and the local police in particular.

I've also had reports of someone being asked to move from a "free" camp spot listed on iOverlander at Azzemour by the police and that Camping Takat had a police present last night.

Borj Biramane had police guards for New Years eve as well

Just read on www.campercontact.com that the mobile home free area in Tafroute has been shut by police and mobile home drivers have been told they have to stay on campsites from now on.:(

As a result of security issues or because too many freeloaders?

Just seen the comment on Campercontact, security is the issue.

I suspect we'll see a lot of people interpret this as a total ban on wild camping which isn't the case afaik

Aiwa:stormy:

We have just heard that the Tafraoute area is open and stayed open. A big party had been planned at new year and the authorities stopped it by moving those people on. Others stayed without a problem.

Locals have told me this has happened for quite a few years around the (western calendar) new year - a rave was held by westerners 10 years ago or so at the painted rocks and they have been twitchy ever since due to "lots of trouble with hard drugs at the rave". I was told the town feeling was quite strong against it.

Whatever the reasons, Tafraoute around 1st January new year has a regular "move on please" attitude for wildcampervans.