Overview
- This week more than 20 officers were deployed on Bournemouth seafront patrols and police say they confiscated dozens of nitrous oxide canisters from large youth groups.
- Bournemouth Police describe NOS use as occurring on an 'almost industrial scale' and say the drug's short-lived high fuels anti-social and confrontational behaviour that spoils the beach for families.
- While policing the sand officers also dealt with missing-children reports, alleged sexual assaults, fighting, intoxication and people in mental-health crisis.
- Police note that nitrous oxide used in this way is treated as a Class C drug and say many groups resist being challenged, which complicates enforcement and public reassurance.
- Locals warn the spike follows wider seafront disorder last month that injured three officers and has increased pressure on services and businesses that rely on a safe summer trade.