Record 613 hours of sunshine brings out worst in some
THIS lockdown spring has been the sunniest on record, putting all other years in the shade.
From March to the end of May, there was at least 613 hours of sunshine – compared with an average of 436.
The previous record was 555 hours in 1948 – and only ten times since 1929 have there been more than 500 hours.
The ‘unprecedented’ spell of fine weather has been caused by the jet stream. Met Office spokesman Mark McCarthy said: ‘The sunshine statistics are really astounding – it’s
quite remarkable.’ But although the weather has been lovely for many, not everyone is happy about the consequences.
The residents of Sandbanks in Dorset – where a beachfront mansion will set you back at least £5million – say they have been invaded by thousands of ‘feral’ visitors following the lifting of lockdown restrictions, coupled with the heatwave.
They have accused the ‘out-of-towners’ of a catalogue of ‘shocking’ behaviour. It includes people ignoring social distancing as they party late into the night, drug-taking, leaving behind piles of rubbish and still-burning barbecues – and youths urinating in private gardens and behind beach huts.
Vikki Slade, leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, said: ‘People have gone feral – that is the only word for it.
‘Yesterday we removed 13 tons of litter and crap when on a typical summer’s day it would be six tons. These are people who have no regard for society. They don’t care at all. We aren’t talking people in groups of six, we are talking groups of 20.
‘But they don’t care and tell you to “do one” when you challenge them. I saw a series of men go to the toilet behind the beach huts 25m from a public toilet because they couldn’t be bothered to queue.’ Residents’ association the Sandbanks Community Group is urging authorities take action to prevent more mayhem.
Chairman David Morley said: ‘We are under siege. The beach is trashed daily and there are late-night parties and anti-social behaviour from big groups of young people who are not locals. The authorities appear to have lost control.’