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Beachgoers leave 41 tonnes of rubbish on Bournemouth beach after two days in the sun
This is disgusting!
Bournemouth beach was left covered in 41 tonnes of rubbish after thousands flocking there during this week’s heatwave.
The heatwave led many groups of people to head down to beaches, and prompted the council to declare a major incident.
Thousands of beachgoers attended Bournemouth beach on Thursday leading Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to urge people to stay away after causing the services to be ‘stretched to the absolute hilt’.
Councillors have also condemned the behaviour of the crowds as ‘irresponsible’, grid locking roads, dumping rubbish, parking illegally and some reports of fights.
Authorities have confirmed that 33 tonnes of waste was cleaned up along the full 19.7km stretch of Bournemouth’s coastline, which runes from Sandbanks to Christchurch harbour.
This is in addition to the eight tonnes of waste collected on Bournemouth’s two piers on Wednesday evening.
Extra police patrols were brought in on Thursday because security faced ‘widespread abuse and intimidation’ as they emptied overflowing bins.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 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.”
Dorset Devils, a volunteer of litter pickers tweeted: “One huge party on Bournemouth beach today. Very little social distancing, total free for all and littering galore.”
Slade added: “The numbers of people descending down here are like those seen on a bank holiday.
“We are not in a position to welcome visitors in these numbers now or to deal with the full range of problems associated with managing volumes of people like this. PLEASE do not come. We are not able to welcome you yet.”
The government has now released a warning that they could use their power to close beaches, should people continue to ignore social distancing measures.