Illegal campers accused of stripping Bournemouth beach hut timber for firewood

Numerous tents have been pitched along Bournemouth beach
Numerous tents have been pitched along Bournemouth beach - BNPS

A group of illegal homeless seaside campers have been accused of prising materials from Bournemouth’s famous beach huts and using it as firewood.

Timber cladding from more than a dozen huts has been removed by vandals, and Britain’s oldest beach hut has been broken into.

The damage to the brightly painted huts, which are either privately or council owned and rented out, is expected to cost tens of thousands of pounds to repair.

Around 10 tents have been pitched at the popular seaside resort for the last three weeks, angering some local business owners that it is blighting the area.

It is understood that most of the occupants are homeless and move to the beach during the warmer weather. The group have even collected deckchairs and rubber dinghies that have been left behind by tourists.

But, in recent weeks council staff discovered the back and sides of some huts had been stripped of wooden panelling.

Nearby beach huts have been found with some of their wooden panelling damaged or missing
Nearby beach huts have been found with some of their wooden panelling damaged or missing - BNPS

A family renting a nearby beach hut said they had been told by council officials that campers had been taking wood from the huts to use for firewood.

“There is a lot of damage to the huts that are now badly exposed to the elements. The council had better get on and repair them before the winter weather sets in. God knows how much it will cost the taxpayer to fix,” a family member said.

“The council talks a good game about camping on the beach being banned but it is a different matter when it comes to action.”

Last year, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council considered bringing in a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which would have enabled wardens to hand out on-the-spot fines to overnight beach campers.

Councillors decided against the move after receiving legal advice that the act of erecting a tent could not be classed as having a “detrimental effect” on the resort.

Britain’s oldest public beach hut which is 7ft-by-7ft hut and built in 1909 was broken into and now has a panel boarding up the front door.

BCP Council said it is working to capture the culprits who damaged the huts, which can be hired out for £445 for a four-week period during the summer.

Illegal campers are suspected of stealing the panelling for firewood
Illegal campers are suspected of stealing the panelling for firewood - BNPS

“We are aware of the damage to a number of beach huts at Pier Approach and our maintenance team are assessing their condition,” Councillor Richard Herrett, head of BCP Council’s leisure operations, said.

“We do not tolerate damage to council property and are reviewing seafront CCTV footage for evidence that can identify those responsible.”

He said the council was also attempting to deal with the current encampment of tents on the beach.

“We are working closely with St Mungo’s [a homeless charity] and the council’s housing and communities team to provide support,” he said.

The spokesman stressed that PSPOs can apply to anyone displaying intimidating, aggressive or anti-social behaviour, including having open fires on the beach.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council wants to fine those responsible for the damage
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council wants to fine those responsible for the damage - BNPS

“Those caught breaking the PSPO risk being issued with an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice of up to £100,” he said.

“Anyone choosing to sleep overnight on our beaches and break these bylaws risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”

Local tourism officials say the tents blight a beach that is ranked one of the best in the UK.

Rosie Radwell, chair of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association, earlier told the Daily Mail newspaper: “This is not what we want for Bournemouth, it does not set the right tone for our reputation.”

She said some of the illegal campers were people who didn’t want to pay to stay at a campsite or hotel.

“Tents on the beach do not reassure this message to our guests in our hotels. Our guests comment that it doesn’t look good, and we know the residents in the area are not happy too. It has in the past brought with it anti-social behaviour,” she said.