Hundreds of thousands of people visited Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole during the spring bank holiday and the May half-term, according to BCP Council, as warm weather drew large crowds to the coast. The council said the busy period was supported by a wide network of staff and partner agencies working across the seafront to keep beaches safe, clean and welcoming for residents and tourists.
BCP Council said its teams, alongside the RNLI, Dorset Police and other emergency services, worked throughout the holiday period to manage safety, respond quickly to incidents and help visitors enjoy the coastline. During the bank holiday weekend alone, 64 lost children or vulnerable adults were reunited with their families through joint working between RNLI lifeguards and council seafront staff.
Beach cleansing teams were also kept busy. On the busiest days, tractors and surf rakes continued collecting waste until the beaches became too crowded, after which litter-pickers took over to clear rubbish by hand. The council said its cleansing crews begin work at 4am every morning during the summer and remove thousands of tons of waste across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s seafront over the season.
The council urged visitors to take responsibility for their litter and carry rubbish home when needed. It said the coastline, stretching from Hamworthy to Highcliffe, remained popular throughout the holiday period, with seafront teams on duty from early morning until late at night to prepare beaches for each day’s visitors.
Dorset Police also supported the effort through dedicated beach patrols, while RNLI lifeguards continued their work to help keep swimmers and beachgoers safe. BCP Council said the scale of the operation showed the importance of teamwork across services during one of the busiest times of year for the area’s tourism and seaside economy.
The authority highlighted that its 15-mile coastline includes six Blue Flag beaches for 2026, and said teams remain ready for continued warm weather and high visitor numbers. Council leaders praised the commitment of staff and volunteers who helped manage the holiday crowds in difficult conditions.
Cllr Richard Herrett, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said he was proud of the teams that make Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole a welcoming destination. He said the weekend saw record-breaking temperatures and thanked staff and volunteers for going above and beyond to help residents and visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.
BCP Council said its partners will continue working together throughout the season to keep the coastline safe, clean and enjoyable as the summer tourist period continues.
