Bournemouth Echo • 1st June 2026

Protestors clash outside Bournemouth 'asylum hotel'

The Bournemouth Patriots demonstration was opposed by counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism.

The clash between protestors comes amidst a heightened police presence in Bournemouth, where recent disorder on the beach has exacerbated social tensions.

Sandra, protesting with the Bournemouth Patriots, said: “We are protesting the illegals in hotel and stating that we are sick to death of our girls being intimidated, sexually assaulted and raped on our beaches.

Sandra was protesting w...

Bournemouth Echo • 1st June 2026

Police call for responsible parenting after beach disorder

Three arrests were made on Tuesday 26 May near Bournemouth Pier amidst a wave of antisocial behaviour, which saw police officers “attacked with bottles”.

Police have also said that more police patrols can be expected on the beachfront to deter disorder as they aim to avoid a repeat of last week’s violent scenes.

Chief Superintendent Julie Howe said: “The majority of [Tuesday’s violence] were caused by groups of young people who had travelled from out of the county and were intent on caus...

Bournemouth Echo • 31st May 2026

Council call for 'tourist tax' to manage beach pressures

The suggestion — which would need the green light from central government — came after the disorder on Bournemouth Beach last week, where a group of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour.

Council leader Millie Earl believes that a range of measures, including a levy, will help to fund and manage the range of challenges the area faces in the summer.

Speaking to the Echo, Earl said: “Our area is a resort, and for the vast majority of people who respect our area, they have a really good t...

Bournemouth Echo • 30th May 2026

Student faced 'two hour delays' on bus stuck in bank holiday traffic

Jenna Williams, a barista and student, was making her way into Bournemouth to study, but her plans were scuppered when her bus was stuck in standstill traffic.

Jenna Williams (Image: Jenna Williams)

Morebus and BCP Council have faced criticism for the timing of the town centre bus stop works, which has caused several routes to divert — only compounding delays on the busy bank holiday.

Jenna said: “It was no secret that the bank holiday was coming up and hot weather was forecast — so...

Bournemouth Echo • 29th May 2026

Soft play area 'on course' to open this weekend and rejects customers were 'misled'

LuxPlay was due to open in the Sovereign Centre on May 23, but due to “safety checks and logistical setbacks” has been forced to push that back.

However, some residents have told the Echo they were not aware of this and turned up to pre-booked slots to find it shut.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I made a booking to take my boys there for the midday session on May 23.

“When I got there, I find a construction site and a bunch of AI generated images of what the so...

Bournemouth Echo • 29th May 2026

Council say 'no excuse' for people who leave litter on Bournemouth Beach

The Echo has spoken to some residents who are concerned about the number of bins and frequency of collections after sunny days — but the council insist there is enough capacity.

After bank holiday weekend, a shocking amount of litter was seen strewn across the beach, including bottles of booze, tents, and even a used condom.

David Matzen, from Bournemouth, said: “There’s not enough bins, especially near West Cliff, and they’re not collected frequently enough — it’s like they don’t care a...

Bournemouth Echo • 28th May 2026

I was at beach disorder — residents have every right to be angry

Dotted along various vantage points on the pier, locals displayed a quiet yet seething anger at what they were witnessing.

They gazed down towards the hundreds of youths gathered on the beach who were throwing bottles at police, getting into fights, and discarding rubbish.

While all eyes were on this antisocial mob, I occasionally directed my attention to those on the side-lines — the residents left to clear up the mess.

“This has got to stop!” one eyewitness told me.

“Bournemout...

Bournemouth Echo • 28th May 2026

Widespread dispersal orders 'not yet necessary' despite beach violence

This comes after three arrests were made on Bournemouth Beach yesterday, amid a wave of disorder which saw police officers “attacked with bottles”.

Chief Superintendent Julie Howe also admitted that the majority of violence was caused by “groups of young people who had travelled from out of the county and were intent on causing disorder”.

Chief Superintendent Howe told the Echo: “Our message is strong and clear: do not visit Bournemouth if you are intent on causing harm.

“Lots of thi...

Bournemouth Echo • 27th May 2026

Police attacked with 'glass bottles and other missiles' during beach disorder

Officers were at the scene as they attempted to disperse large crowds which had gathered on the beach near the Pier.

Dorset Police Federation has confirmed that officers were injured after being attacked with glass bottles and other missiles.

The statement from Dorset Police Federation Chair Chris Wood said: “I am appalled by the incident on Bournemouth beach last night where our officers were assaulted by a small minority of those who had come to Bournemouth to enjoy the beach.

“Off...

Bournemouth Echo • 27th May 2026

Resident claims son has to wait "over a year" for driving test

Bella Kidd, from Ferndown, says her son RJ has been forced to look for tests in unfamiliar locations— which only “adds to the stress and cost of learning to drive”.

The lengthy waiting times for driving tests has made national headlines in recent months, but the effects in Dorset have been compounded by the fact that Bournemouth test centre permanently closed in 2019.

Bella said: “There is no tests available— it’s a nightmare.

“We haven’t got the time to go on the website every day a...

Bournemouth Echo • 26th May 2026

Litter pickers on Bournemouth beach tackle "piles of rubbish" left after weekend

Thousands flocked to the Dorset coast to enjoy the sunshine — with record breaking temperatures recorded on Monday.

However, piles of rubbish — including discarded tents, empty booze cans, and a used condom — were seen strewn across Bournemouth beach after people left.

Bernie, a resident who was picking up litter at 7.30am this morning, said: “I walk down the zigzag and for years it has been dirty on hot days.

“They’re always huge piles of rubbish around the bins, so I thought: ‘no!’...

Bournemouth Echo • 21st May 2026

Businesses criticise council for "lack of communication" on town centre roadworks

Several establishments told the Echo they were not informed in advance about the works— and have concerns it will impact their footfall.

From Saturday May 23, the main section of Gervis Place, from the pedestrian crossing to the junction with Westover Road, will be closed for approximately eight months— to “improve bus journeys and waiting facilities”.

Alan Hearn, owner of Haus Male Grooming, said: “It’s unbelievable how long the works are going to take.

“We weren’t even informed by...

Bournemouth Echo • 21st May 2026

'I’ll paint them myself' - Resident frustrated at state of local lampposts

Neil Fountain, from Malmesbury Park, was particularly shocked at the state of one lamppost in Shelbourne Road, Charminster, which appeared to be rusty and in a state of disrepair.

He also added that several other lampposts in surrounding areas were in a similar condition.

Neil said: “I first noticed the condition of the lampposts a couple of years ago and thought back then they needed some attention.

“I appreciate lampposts may not be at the top of the councils ‘to do’ list, but sure...

Bournemouth Echo • 21st May 2026

'More bad tenants than bad landlords': Dorset landlords criticise Renters Rights Act

The act has removed Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, scraped fixed term contracts, and put an end to bidding wars.

The government’s objective is to protect vulnerable tenants— however, landlords say the law will negatively impact all parties.

Wendy Trimnell, who sold her rental properties in Bournemouth prior to the act coming into force, said: “There are far more bad tenants than there are bad landlords.

“Everything is going on the side of the tenants, and the new law is the main re...

Bournemouth Echo • 20th May 2026

'Leave your brain at home' - Jim Davidson brings his adult panto to Wimborne

The former Big Break host, who has frequently toured over-18 pantos, will be staring at the Tivoli Theatre for four nights, between June 16 and 20.

Davidson promises an evening of laughs alongside co-stars John Altman, aka “Nasty Nick” from Eastenders, and Debbie Arnold.

Jim said: “You could do these pantomimes for children if you took some of the dirty lyrics out.

“It’s still the great stories of panto being told in the traditional ways— accept its with an adult audience.

Big Di...

Bournemouth Echo • 18th May 2026

Newspaper columnist condemned for false claims on asylum seeker sex crimes in Dorset

Annunziata Rees-Mogg, who was previously a member of the European Parliament, reposted the false statistics to her 73,000 X followers on Thursday, May 14.

Police and crime commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick, pushed back against the “misinformation”, pointing out that migrants only account for 1 per cent of sex crimes in the region.

Rees-Mogg posted: “Asylum seekers make up 0.08 per cent of Dorset’s population.

“And 44 per cent of alleged sex offences.

“So unbelievable I had t...

Bournemouth Echo • 16th May 2026

Pub of the week: Chaplin's 'one of the most unique pubs in the UK'

Harry Seccombe, owner of Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar, says it owes its uniqueness to the town and its people.

Chaplin’s is the Echo’s Pub of the Week - and as punters are no doubt aware, it’s hard to overlook its homage to Charlie Chaplin when you first enter.

“Charlie Chaplin came to Boscombe and played at the Hippodrome back in the day,” Harry told me.

“He’s also an iconic person and very funny— we show his films all the time here.”

Harry’s partner, Vivien Hoffman, as well as ar...

Bournemouth Echo • 15th May 2026

'Lives will be at risk' - Concerns raised at proposed fire station closures

Michael Burbery, 77, of Oakdale, Poole, has claimed he received a response from the Chief Fire Officer in Dorset, Andy Cole, stating that if cuts go ahead, response time to his location will be significantly increased.

Friday was the last day of public consultation about the cuts, with a final decision due on Tuesday, June 30.

Michael said: “If the cuts go ahead, it increases the chance of a tragic incident.

“Lives will be put at risk— especially if you are not agile enough to get to...

Bournemouth Echo • 14th May 2026

Jim Davidson claims he's 'banned' from performing in Bournemouth

The controversial comedian, 72, made the accusations ahead of his adult pantomime, Big Dick Whittington, coming to Wimborne this June.

However, both BCP Council and BH Live, who run the BIC, have denied shunning Davidson.

Davidson said: “I’m not allowed to play in Bournemouth at all— you can ask the council why.

“They’ll something like: ‘he’s rude to staff’— but all we know why that is, don’t we children?

“Sometimes it’s not a council policy, it’s just one person, presumably some...

Bournemouth Echo • 14th May 2026

"I drew on his strength": local woman completes charity walk in husband's memory

Jacqui Rix, 47, from Verwood, attempted the challenge from Minehead to Poole, after her husband George died of prostate cancer in March 2025.

On Monday, May 11, she was greeted at the finish line at University Hospitals Dorset by friends, family, and colleagues of George— who himself walked the Coast Path in 2009.

Jacqui said: “A month after George passed away, I went up into the loft to sort some stuff when I found a box of his old walking stuff including his journals, photos and his re...

Bournemouth Echo • 14th May 2026

Mobility scooter user defends controversial Poole cycle lanes

Ernie Keene, 89, who has lived in the area his entire life, uses the lanes to visit his son and even go out on day trips.

The £17 million bike lane, which stretches along two miles and is 11ft wide in some places, has received criticism for increasing congestion and making the road “unsafe” for motorists.

Ernie said: “Around the time of the local elections, I kept hearing people suggesting the cycle lanes in Poole were a waste of public money— but I must disagree.

“The lanes have giv...

Bournemouth Echo • 14th May 2026

Olympic hopefuls showcase new rowing format on Bournemouth beach

Beach sprint— a fast-paced rowing format which combines running and navigation— will be making its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

British Rowing, who train on the beach as well as in Studland, are also collaborating with Bournemouth University to offer bespoke programmes for athletics.

Brage Wallis, 18, from Lymington Amateur Rowing Club, said: “It’s exciting to watch the sport develop and become an Olympic sport.

“You start on the beach and run into the boat, slalom off aroun...

Bournemouth Echo • 13th May 2026

Lettings teacher warns Renters Right Act has "frightened off" landlords

David d’Orton-Gibson, managing director of Training for Professionals, suggested that the new legislation is “misguided” and will negatively impact both landlords and tenants.

The Renters Rights Act, which came into force this month, has removed Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, scrapped fixed contracts, and put an end to bidding wars.

Mr d’Orton-Gibson said: “Tenants on low incomes are going to find life more difficult, if I'm brutally honest.

“The old Section 21 was a two-month noti...

Bournemouth Echo • 13th May 2026

Residents divided on whether PM Keir Starmer should resign

The prime minster is under mounting pressure to step down after a poor showing for Labour in the recent local elections.

The Echo has spoken to people in Bournemouth town centre, who gave their verdict on Starmer's future.

Ash Andrews, 26, from Bournemouth, said: “I used to be a big Labour supporter, but I disagree with the direction Keir Starmer has taken.

“The country is in a state of disrepair right now, but I worry if Starmer was to step down, someone I disagree with even more ma...