GO HOME! Outrage as beaches are swamped
BRITAIN BAKES AT 92F
A MAJOR incident was declared yesterday after tens of thousands of sun-seekers defied lockdown laws to crowd on to beaches on the hottest day of the year so far.
Councils said they were appalled as drunken fights broke out, the roads were grid-locked for miles and tons of litter was left behind on the sands.
The two-metre social distancing rule, meant to be observed by groups of no more than six meeting outside in England, was ignored as day-trippers jostled for patches of beach.
The sea was also crammed with people cooling down as temperatures peaked at 92F (33.3C), recorded at Heathrow Airport and higher than Wednesday’s 90.7F (32.6C) at the same site.
Even as far north as Prestwick in Scotland, temperatures reached 86F (30C). But the heat led to tragedies across the UK, including a woman thought to have been in her 50s dying on Worthing beach, West Sussex, yesterday.
An air ambulance landed at the scene but she could not be saved after suffering “a medical episode”, police said.
Two other people, including a 10-year-old boy, died in separate drownings, officers said yesterday.
The boy got into difficulties in Loch Lubnaig on Wednesday afternoon while the body of a man in his 30s was found later on the same day at Lulle Brooke in Cookham, Berks.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council issued an emergency call after admitting their services were “completely overstretched”.
Council leader Vikki Slade said yesterday afternoon: “We’re absolutely appalled at the scenes witnessed on our beaches, particularly at Bournemouth and Sandbanks in the last 24-48 hours.
“The irresponsible behaviour and actions of so many people is just shocking and our services are stretched to the absolute hilt trying to keep everyone safe.
“We have had no choice but to declare a major incident and initiate an emergency response.”
She said this meant a “multiagency emergency response has been activated to co-ordinate resources to tackle the issues”.
Ms Slade also told how 12 tons of litter was left on Bournemouth beach on Wednesday. She said: “The disgusting mess left on our beaches makes me want to weep. People urinating within sight of loos, parking illegally and just accepting the fine and ignoring the message of don’t come to Dorset is a breakdown of civic behaviour.”
Similar mounds of rubbish were left on Brighton beach after hundreds of youngsters were moved on by police after celebrating what should have been the end of their GCSEs.
In Dorset police were also trying to disperse crowds who were sunbathing under signs telling them to go home if it was busy.
Dorset Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya said:
“These are unprecedented times and we are urging people to stay away from Dorset beaches.
“Clearly we are still in a public health crisis and such a significant volume of people heading to one area places a strain on emergency services resources.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that the Government had the power to close beaches if social distancing rules were not being observed.
But he told TalkRadio: “I am reluctant to use it because people have had a pretty tough lockdown. Everybody should be able to enjoy the sunshine. The key is to do it with respect. If we see a spike in the number of cases [of Covid-19], we will take action.”
Chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty tweeted: “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again.”