Council won’t seek ban on overnight camping at Dorset beach

Last summer, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP), Council received 169 reports of people sleeping on Bournemouth beach, three of these involved people urinating and defecating on the beach. 

Between July 2021 and July 2022, there were 34 incidents of people sleeping overnight in open spaces, of which six involved fires and seven involved littering. 

And between August 2020 and November 2022, there were 72 reports of overnight sleeping on highways, including three incidents of urination and defecation and one of drug use.

Campers earlier this year (Image: Sent in by reader)

Plans for a new public space protection order (PSPO) along the coast and in open spaces will be put before the council for a vote.

Although they include restrictions on lighting fires and barbecues, the proposal will not include powers to stop overnight camping on beaches and open spaces.

Cllr Kieron Wilson told a council meeting that to include a ban on overnight sleeping along the coastline, incidents must be deemed to have a “detrimental effect” and not just “inconvenient”.

He said to be detrimental, it must “cause harm”. 

Speaking at a scrutiny meeting on Monday, October 9, Cllr Phil Broadhead, opposition leader, asked why the new administration is undoing work started by the Conservatives to stop unauthorised camping. 

Open fires are not allowed on BCP beaches

He said: “In the proposal to prevent overnight beach camping, over three-quarters of our residents thought that was a good idea. It’s not surprising. 

“It’s not fair that visitors can come and sleep on our beaches for free or park in our car parks that have signs saying you can’t and we’re not doing anything about it because we don’t have adequate enforcement abilities. 

“Who are we here to represent? Our visitors who want a free holiday or our residents that have said for too long we don’t have the enforcement powers.” 

Cllr Lesley Dedman added: “I thought the point of the PSPO was to prevent people, as I know in Mudeford [there are people] driving those massive mobile homes, with their boats and bikes, who park overnight. 

“There was a mention of other behaviour being detrimental. There is plenty of evidence of this in Mudeford.” 

She questioned if the evidence submitted reflected what is happening and referred to an incident last month where she tried to report ASB on jet skis to BCP Council but was told to go to the police. 

Cllr Bobbie Dove added: “What are we expecting all our officers to do: hang around and watch until they defecate and need the toilet?” 

Cllr Wilson, portfolio holder for regulatory services, said: “I believe this is proportionate to what we want to happen. 

“We want to make our beaches and coastal spaces and open spaces safer and cleaner, but we don’t want to be infringing on the rights of those who are vulnerable in our society.”