VISITORS to Dorset’s beaches are showing a “very low level of compliance” with rules and guidance – and some show “almost no respect” for the environment or other people.

Too many beachgoers seem not even to know how to use a bin, according to BCP Council’s seafront operations manager for BCP Council.

Writing on the professional networking site LinkedIn, he wrote: “From late March to now we have seen a very low level of compliance with any guidance or rules, but worse than that almost no respect shown towards our environment or each other from a significant number of beach users.

“Every day I see yet more litter dropped everywhere I go, and the eternal optimist in me can’t see this improving anytime soon.”

Bournemouth beach: BCP Council declares major incident

Staff spat at and abused on Bournemouth Beach

His comments came before the latest spell of hot weather brought thousands more to the coast.

He later added: “We have a full time team of beach cleaners here at BCP, over 400 bins on site, bins emptied twice a day, and a number of our catering businesses have made significant changes to their offer to provide recyclable/compostable products – and through my role I’ve been involved in creating our Leave Only Footprints campaign with engagement with literally millions of visitors and locals.

“What I’m struggling with is that too many beach visitors appear to need educating how to use a bin. If that is truly the case we have a massive journey in terms of changing this behaviour because the climate and biodiversity crisis needs action now.”

Bournemouth beach chaos "completely unacceptable" says Boris Johnson

His views were endorsed by Brian Heppenstall, senior ranger at the council, who said: “I see more evidence of people failing to act to protect the environment, and when this starts with as simple an action as failing to put litter in the bin, then I despair.|

David Rawsthorn, head of sales and marketing at Swanage Railway, wrote: “Litter is a huge, huge problem. The impact on our oceans is disastrous and yet very few seem to care. I think local councils and food/leisure retailers have to step up their efforts both to remove the problem at source and to better educate the public.”

Andrew Williams, BCP Council’s bead of safer communities, wrote: “I’ve reflected before, that at the start of this pandemic I think we saw the best of our community, hundreds, thousands of people volunteering to help their neighbours, get shopping, prescriptions etc.

“As we’re coming out of the other side, seeing the worse of the selfish behaviour, litter, anti-social behaviour. Not sure it’s getting worse but perhaps more visible after the lockdown hid this for a while.”