Bournemouth: Police issue message to public following disorder

Officers from the local command area are issuing a warning to anyone intent on coming to cause disorder in Bournemouth

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 1st Jul 2025
Last updated 1st Jul 2025

Police in Dorset have issued a message to the public - saying anyone intent on coming to Bournemouth to cause disorder is 'not welcome'.

It follows disorder there earlier this week.

The Force say they've been preparing to ensure everyone who is living or visiting the area can have a good, safe summer, especially as the beaches fill up with the warmer weather.

However, on Monday evening (30 June), there was a report of a disturbance involving a large group of people in the area of Pier Approach.

A number of police officers were injured during the incident, as well as a teenage girl who was taken to hospital for treatment.

Their injuries are not believed to be serious.

Shortly before the disturbance, a report was received of a fight in the Lower Gardens.

Officers were able to carry out fast-paced enquiries into both of these incidents. Two girls from Bournemouth, aged 16 and 17, a 17-year-old girl from Poole and a 35-year-old woman from Poole were arrested on suspicion of affray in relation to the Lower Gardens incident.

A 22-year-old man from Newbury in Berkshire was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating of an emergency worker in connection with the Pier Approach incident.

Detailed and thorough investigations are being carried out into what happened.

'Violence is not welcome here'

Local Policing Commander Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey said: “Violence and disorder on Bournemouth beach will absolutely not be tolerated and anyone who is identified as being involved will be robustly dealt with.

“I would like to provide some reassurance to our communities that we are taking action and have been working at pace to ensure we have all available resources in place to prevent any disorder.

“The beaches in our area are visited by many families with children and we want them to have a safe and enjoyable time.

“You can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area – this is to make sure that you feel safe and that any disruption is kept to a minimum. We will still have officers and staff out across the Force area who will be responding to incidents and investigating offences.

“It is completely unacceptable for anyone to be injured, including our hard-working officers who are just trying to protect the public and keep everyone safe.

“Our message is very clear that we want everyone to have a good, safe summer, but anyone who is found to be involved in public place violence is not welcome here.”

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