Human faeces is 'major problem' at Studland beach

Jason Selman <i>(Image: Submitted)</i>
Jason Selman (Image: Submitted)
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A dog walker has said public defecation in Studland has become a “major problem”.

Jason Selman, 68, and from Swanage, who frequently walks his dog in and around Studland Bay said campervans and other car campers have been leaving human waste around the area, spoiling and “disrespecting its natural beauty.

Mr Selman the turds are regularly dumped by campers around the beaches and the waste can be found in the sand.

He said: “You wouldn’t want your kid to run down to the beach, slip over and put their hand in someone else’s turd.”

A spokesperson for National Trust said it was aware of concerns incidents of human waste, overnight camping and littering in parts of Studland and is it working with partners to monitor and address antisocial behaviour across the peninsula.

The National Trust site attracts between 20,000 and 25,000 people each day in the summer and up to 1 million people a year but provides “totally inadequate” toilet facilities, Mr Seldon said.

“This is an ongoing problem,” he added.

“Surely its time something is done with it.”

Unplanned maintenance led to the closure of the Shell Beach toilets, the trust said, and temporary facilities were available until July 25 when works were due to be completed.

Mr Selman said even though overnight parking was not authorised it was not being enforced by Dorset Council.

A public spaces protection order to stop antisocial behaviour and overnight camping is place Studland's seaward-side beaches, the trust said, but it does not cover harbourside beaches, including Bramble Bush Bay, where human waste has been reported.

“It’s a beautiful spot being defaced by people that are not thinking twice about what they are doing,” Mr Selman said.

Mr Selman is calling on the trust and council to conduct regular patrols of the area to ensure a “health problem” does not break out.

“They’ve got staff zooming around all the time,” he added.

“It’s not going to take a lot to gather evidence.”

While poo remains rampant across Studland, Mr Selman said he hopes visitors will respect the beauty spot.

“The vast majority that visit the coast are responsible and respectful,” said Mr Selman.

“There’s a small majority that will spoil it not thinking about what they are doing.”

A National Trust spokesperson said: “Our staff and security teams patrol National Trust land daily and into the evenings during the summer, dealing with issues such as littering, fires and unauthorised camping.”

“We continue to log incidents to help identify hotspots and inform future action.”

“Overnight parking along Ferry Road is managed by Dorset Council, and we support enforcement measures that help reduce fire risk, littering and damage to this nationally important landscape.”

Dorset Council has been contacted for comment.

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