'Horrendous' evening of chaos along Bournemouth seafront

Jessica Toale, Labour’s Bournemouth West MP, said crime and anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth town centre has become a “huge issue” and is a big change from days of old. 

As reported, a teenage girl was sexually assaulted by a man who touched her inappropriately while in the area of Bournemouth Pier at about 7.45pm on Friday, July 19. 

Officers arrested 20-year-old man from London on suspicion on sexual assault and he has since been released on police bail as further enquiries are conducted. 

Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West (Image: Daily Echo)

Dorset Police’s spokesman said the sexual assault was initially reported to police officers who were on their “enhanced patrol” of the town centre. 

Then, just 15 minutes later, multiple officers were called to Pier Approach after a large fight that started with teenage girls spiraled out of control. 

According to witnesses, a large group of people clashed with one another with footage and images from the scene show the crowd of mainly youths shouting and swearing. 

Read more on Friday night:

Teen girl 'sexually assaulted' at seafront

Huge group descends into 'fight' by pier

Man found with injuries on Bournemouth seafront

The force's spokesman said one of their officers was assaulted in the brawl but did not suffer any serious injuries.  

A 19-year-old man from Southampton was issued with a caution for a public order offence and a 17-year-old boy was issued with a dispersal notice, requiring him to leave the area. 

On the fight, the spokesman added: “Officers remained in the area to provide a continued visible presence following the incident and to ensure there was no further breach of the peace.” 

And finally at 10.20pm, a man was found injured at Pier Approach – he did not require hospital treatment, but police are investigating to find out who he is and how he became injured. 

Bournemouth West’s newly elected MP Jessica Toale said it was a “horrendous incident affecting the young girl and my thoughts are with her and her family”. 

She added: “On the issue of violence against women and girls, it’s an issue that is very personal for me because Bournemouth was very safe when I came down here on holiday when I was younger. 

“But when parents have told me that they are concerned about letting their daughters go to the town, it’s devastating to hear that and I want to make a difference there.” 

Police patrolling along the seafront (Image: BNPS)

(Image: Daily Echo)

She added: “Anti-social behaviour is a huge issue in Bournemouth town centre and we have seen a lot of high profile incidents affecting the town. 

“I would like to see an increase in police presence in the town but also to give the police powers that they need to tackle anti-social behaviour and to have the capacity to deal with it swiftly and appropriately with, especially sexual assault cases. 

“In the King’s Speech [last] week, we announced measures for a crime and policing bill which will do exactly that – give police specialist training in how to deal with sexual assault cases. 

“That will make a real difference to the experience of the victims of sexual crime.” 

In his speech to peers and MPs in the House of Lords, King Charles III set out the Government’s ambition to bolster community policing and give officers greater powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. 

Ministers also have ambitions to halve rates of violence against women and girls and to ban ninja swords through the new crime and policing bill. 

Speaking on Sunday, a spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We will continue to work with our partners to provide a visible policing presence on Bournemouth seafront and in the town centre as part of our joint approach to ensuring public safety during the night-time economy in the town.

"Our officers can be approached by members of the public with any information or concerns."