Nitrous oxide use on Bournemouth beach fuelling disorder

Nitrous oxide is being consumed "on an almost industrial scale" on Bournemouth beach and is fuelling disorder, according to police.

Officers have been dealing with large groups using laughing gas, or NOS, which is a Class C drug when used recreationally.

Dorset Police shared images of officers confiscating boxes full of canisters and said they had also found people dealing NOS, while the beach was littered with empty cans and balloons.

It said most of the groups dealt with had been confrontational and antisocial behaviour was having an impact on families and other beachgoers.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Bournemouth Police said nitrous oxide use was leading to antisocial behaviour and disorder "thanks to the brief high achieved".

"The 20 plus officers on patrol have spent most of their day dealing with this, as large groups descended on the beach," the post said.

"Their behaviour impacts locals, visiting families and those here to have a good time and use the beautiful space we have on our doorstep.

"Most groups dealt with are confrontational, and see no wrong in consuming something that is classified as a Class C drug when used like this."

The Bournemouth neighbourhood policing team said they had also dealt with missing children, reported sexual assaults, drunk children, drug possession, fighting and intoxicated adults and vulnerable people having a mental health crisis.

They said officers had made "numerous arrests", imposed dispersal orders and made safeguarding referrals.