Major incident declared as thousands flock to coast
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:03 pm
Sun-seekers have been urged to stay away from the beach as thousands flocked to the Dorset coast and a major incident was declared in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council said it was "stretched to the absolute hilt" on the second day of a UK heatwave.
Dorset Police said there were reports of gridlocked roads, fights and overnight camping.
People were urged to "act responsibly" as temperatures hit the mid-20s.
By mid-morning Bournemouth beach was busy "as far as the eye can see" and the Durdle Door car park was approaching capacity.
Traffic built up early on coast-bound roads and with people having travelled to Bournemouth from as far as Birmingham.
Council leader Vikki Slade said: "We are absolutely appalled at the scenes witnessed on our beaches, particularly at Bournemouth and Sandbanks, in the last 24-48 hours.
"The irresponsible behaviour and actions of so many people is just shocking and our services are stretched to the absolute hilt trying to keep everyone safe. We have had no choice now but to declare a major incident and initiate an emergency response."
The council confirmed it had issued a record 558 parking fines and said extra enforcement was now in place.
It said 33 tonnes of waste was cleaned up along the coastline on Thursday morning, in addition to eight tonnes collected between the piers on Wednesday.
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said he had asked the government to dispatch additional officers to Dorset if needed.
"I have spoken to the police minister to say be prepared, be ready for Dorset Police to make that request, to say they are deluged with the traffic issues and anti-social behaviour," he said.
"It is very sad to see a number of people being selfish and also acting dangerously."
Extra police patrols have been brought in and security is in place to protect refuse crews who the council said faced "widespread abuse and intimidation" as they emptied overflowing bins.
From Bournemouth pier there are thousands of people as far as the eye can see. Some in the sea on inflatables, others sitting on the sand, there are significant [numbers of] gazebos - there is one group of about 50 people.
One man told me he camped in a tent overnight, a lot of people have come from Birmingham - a six-hour round trip. People were telling me they wanted to get "out and about" after lockdown.
One woman from Birmingham admitted she felt uncomfortable, but said: "You've got to understand, after three months lockdown in the city centre, even seeing the sea is worth it."