Three police officers were injured after being attacked with bottles while trying to break up a mass brawl involving more than 100 young people on Bournemouth beach last night. The officers came under assault as they attempted to disperse a large group on the sand.
Chaos on the Beach
Video footage posted on social media showed officers leading away a young man who had been chased and attacked by a crowd. When officers moved to make arrests, the crowd turned hostile, hurling objects including glass bottles. One officer used pepper spray against a member of the mob during the standoff, which required 35 officers to set up a cordon at Pier Approach to contain the situation.
Arrests Made
Police arrested a 22-year-old man from Tottenham, north London, for possessing an offensive weapon. A 17-year-old boy from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of assault and affray, and another 17-year-old from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of affray. All three remain in custody.
Official Response
The Dorset Police Federation confirmed three officers sustained minor injuries. Chairman Chris Wood expressed his shock, praising the officers' professionalism. Chief Superintendent Julie Howe condemned the violence, stating it would not be tolerated in Dorset. She noted that officers also responded to medical emergencies, including performing CPR on a woman. Howe urged parents to monitor their children's activities.
The beach was crowded with visitors enjoying the UK heatwave. Police have launched an investigation and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
