Dorset Police neighbourhood officers were deployed to Southbourne Beach on 28 March 2026 to monitor a large gathering of young people and prevent potential anti-social behaviour. The patrol followed intelligence shared by a local school regarding plans for pupils to meet and consume alcohol at the seaside location.
During the operation, officers including PC Lewis, PC Luca, PC Anna, and PS Anthony engaged with the group to provide community reassurance. While most of the young people interacted positively with the police, officers seized alcohol from a small number of individuals and issued dispersal notices to prevent further issues in the area, which is monitored by the Bournemouth East Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The Dorset Police force expressed concerns that such gatherings can quickly escalate beyond underage drinking into more serious criminal activity. Officials are urging parents and guardians to be aware of their children’s whereabouts during weekends to help maintain safety in public spaces.
This pro-active deployment comes as authorities continue to address a history of disorder at the beach. Past incidents include a gathering in April 2025 that led to five teenagers being charged with offences related to violence, and a disturbance near Bournemouth Pier in June 2025 that resulted in six arrests and injuries to both a teenage girl and two police officers.
To support ongoing safety efforts, the force is expanding its presence across the region.
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