POLICE officers are keen to address anti-social behaviour and littering on Chesil Beach amid concerns from a tourist that it ‘resembled a refugee camp’.

It comes after a tourist wrote to the Bridport News to share their views following a recent visit to the popular beach in West Bexington.

The visitor, who did not want to be named, claimed the beach and surrounding area was a ‘campsite’ and noted the ‘cleanliness of the beach was awful’.

The person claimed beer bottles, cans and human excrement ‘could be easily seen.’

The letter writer added: “As a holiday time angler, I can accept the small shelter tents the anglers use, but the scenes all along Chesil where access is easy made it feel uncomfortable to even try to attempt to use the beach."

Following their concerns, there was a mixed response from residents and readers who shared their own experiences while some believed they had ‘no problem with camping on the beach as long as the place is left clean and tidy afterwards’.

Inspector Darren Stanton, of West Dorset Neighbourhood Policing Team, confirmed there has been an increased number of reports of people camping on beaches in West Dorset over the past year.

This has led to a rise of anti-social behaviour and litter on the beaches, something Inspector Stanton described as ‘unacceptable and will not be tolerated’.

He added police officers are working with Dorset Council about these anti-social concerns in order to ensure locals and visitors have a ‘safe and enjoyable experience’ on Dorset beaches.

He said: “Dorset Police is committed to ensuring that residents and visitors to West Dorset have a safe and enjoyable experience.

“Whilst unregulated camping is not a new phenomenon, we have seen an increase in the number of reports of camping on beaches in West Dorset over the past year.

“This has often led to a rise of anti-social behaviour and littering on the beaches, which is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Dorset Police and our partner agencies.

“Officers have been working with the respective landowners, parish councils and Dorset Council to come up with long term sustainable solutions to address this known public concern.

“We have also been patrolling these beaches throughout the summer and we would continue to encourage everyone to respect our beautiful county and protect our environment.”