Published on Monday 14 July 2025
Soaring temperatures have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region’s award-winning coastline and beautiful open spaces over the last three days.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and partners were ready to welcome them and ensure everyone enjoyed a good weekend.
Cllr Richard Herrett, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, said: “We knew that the hot weather would bring a large amount of people into Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and our teams put in a huge amount of effort to ensure everyone visiting had a safe and enjoyable time.
“I’d like to thank our hard-working staff across the council, and our partners, in particular Dorset Police and the RNLI, for ensuring extra police officers and lifeguards were on our beaches this weekend.
“Of course, not everyone who visited over the last few days has shown respect for our area, but our teams dealt with these challenges to make sure everybody could enjoy their time in BCP.
“It was great to see so many people with a smile on their face as they enjoyed the best of what we have to offer - some incredible events, 15 miles of sandy coastlines, and 2,500 hectares of natural open spaces - and I hope to see many of them return throughout the year.”
Across the BCP area this weekend:
- A total of 1702 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued to illegally parked cars on Saturday and Sunday by BCP Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers.
- Across Saturday and Sunday, a total of 18 cars were lifted and removed from roads across the BCP area, due to illegal parking and in a way that was endangering lives and access for emergency vehicles.
- The team running seafront waste collection – from Hengistbury Head to Alum Chine - collected 21 tonnes of waste from the bins and the prom, from 5pm Saturday until 8am Sunday. Whilst teams working across Poole’s seafront removed 18.7 tonnes of waste.
- Seafront car parks at Sandbanks and Boscombe were full by 10am on both days
- The LV= KidZone scheme gave out over 200 wristbands.
- 128 fixed penalty notices were issued for littering and PSPO breaches.
Additional staff were put into place to manage car parks and arrival points. BCP Council also put in place extra waste collections.
The council also released information to residents and visitors through the media, BCP Council social media channels and by email to more than 27,000 residents, providing guidance to help keep traffic moving and keep the resort clean.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Darren Harris, of Bournemouth Police, said: “The beaches were busy across the BCP area this weekend and our officers were carrying out patrols and engaging with the public to ensure everyone could have a safe and enjoyable time.
“The vast majority of people were well-behaved, and it was great to see so many enjoying themselves responsibly.
“Across three evenings we issued over 60 section 35 dispersal notices ordering people to leave the area who were acting in an anti-social manner. In addition to this, we were out confiscating alcohol and nitrous oxide to prevent any behaviour from escalating.
“We’re asking you all to continue to have fun responsibly and look after yourself, your belongings and each other.
“Our staff, officers and technology will continue to be out and about, working with our partner agencies including BCP Council and those at the railway stations, to make sure that everyone who is living or visiting the area can have a good, safe summer.”
On parking around the BCP area, Cllr Herrett added:
“The vast majority of drivers respect the area, but we were incredibly frustrated to see some parking inconsiderately, and in some cases dangerously, at the expense of residents and businesses.
“These irresponsible choices risk people’s lives. Emergency vehicles struggle to get through key routes when cars are parked in this way.
“Even at our busiest, we have enough car parking capacity in the BCP area; when seafront car parks in Bournemouth become full, as they were at the weekend, we encourage drivers to use the Avenue Rd and Richmond Gardens car park and take a stroll through the Lower Gardens to the beach.
“These car parks all had significant space this weekend and are a great choice for anyone visiting us this summer.
“You won’t get fined, you won’t endanger anyone, you’ll get back on the Wessex Way easier and you will respect our resort. “