Bournemouth beach: Tourists illegally pitch tents on seafront at popular UK beach to 'avoid paying for hotel room'

A senior councillor has said action will be taken against the group of seven tents that have been spotted on the beach. Overnight camping on the town's famous beach is strictly forbidden, with the council promising anyone breaking the rules will be disturbed by their 24-hour beach patrol and face prosecution. If fines are imposed, it could cost £1,000. 

Another group of campers have also pitched their tents on full view along the seafront. Kieron Wilson, BCP Council's cabinet member for regulatory services, told the Daily Echo: “We are aware of the tents on the beach and are taking further action. We have a multi-agency approach to dealing with tents on the beach, and are working closely with St Mungo’s, CSAS and the council’s housing and communities teams to provide support to these people.” 

A reader of the newspaper got in touch with the Daily Echo confirming they had spotted the tents on Tuesday morning (3 August). The reader told the newspaper: “They even have their own dingy, furniture and chairs outside the tents. So much for fines and being moved on, not even discreetly hidden, just opposite Harry Ramsdens.” 

Local hoteliers are angry at BCP Council for not doing enough to move them. Rosie Radwell, chair of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association, told the Daily Mail: “This is not what we want for Bournemouth, it does not set the right tone for our reputation. There are plenty of hotels, guest houses and Airbnbs in the area for them to stay in. If people want to camp, then they should book a campsite nearby or pay to stay in a hotel where the proper facilities are available.”

Last year BCP Council u-turned on plans to bring in tougher rules against campers. Officials wanted to introduce a tougher order giving wardens the power to hand out on-the-spot £1,000 fines if illegal campers refused to move on. But the council decided against the measure because it fears being sued. A Coastal Area Public Spaces Protection Order covers Bournemouth Beach, but this only references certain offences such as the lighting of fires and BBQs, aggressive swearing and public urination.