Residents of West Bexington have expressed growing worries about wild camping in the area, citing incidents of large groups gathering and disturbing behavior. One resident, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described the situation as “quite intimidating” when big groups occupy the beach and car park. She reported witnessing an individual in the car park “swearing, shouting, and making death threats.”
The resident explained that on weekends with good weather, especially bank holidays, the area becomes crowded with campers. “I did contact the council to let them know we had very large numbers here camping but as usual no one attended,” she said. She added that the village often feels overlooked due to its remote location and noted, “I don’t think the antisocial behaviour has ever been as bad as it was the first bank holiday weekend of this year.”
Describing the atmosphere, she said people on the beach often engage in “drinking, being loud, partying, and being lary,” which sometimes makes locals feel “very uncomfortable.” She recalled that last year a party began as early as 2:30 a.m.
The issue of wild camping has troubled West Bexington residents for years, but the anonymous resident believes it has worsened since the Covid pandemic. Previous complaints from locals have included reluctance to visit the beach due to problems linked to wild campers.
In 2021, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced, making unauthorized camping illegal on beaches between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury. However, with the PSPO soon due to expire, residents fear the problem may escalate.
The resident expressed frustration with the local authority, saying they feel “let down” because enforcement of the PSPO appears lacking. “The campers know they are not allowed to camp here, but they do anyway,” she said. “The council need to be here at the weekend to see the issues.”
Not all residents view the wild campers negatively, provided they clean up after themselves and behave respectfully.
A Dorset Council spokesperson reminded the public that “unauthorised camping is prohibited under the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the area, and anyone witnessing such activity should report it directly to us by calling 01305 221000.” They added that individuals feeling threatened should contact Dorset Police immediately.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the PSPO, which bans unauthorized camping at certain Dorset beaches including West Bexington, “is in the process of being extended for a further 3 years.”
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