Britain’s first official heatwave of the year brought chaos to Bournemouth beach over the Bank Holiday weekend, as tens of thousands of sun-seekers descended on the Dorset coast and scenes unfolded around the pier that kept police and paramedics busy throughout the afternoon.
Youths were photographed inhaling nitrous oxide — commonly known as “hippy crack” — from balloons as crowds gathered in the sweltering heat. The smell of cannabis hung in the air as drum and bass music blared from loudspeakers along the seafront. A teenage girl, believed to have consumed too many vodka mixers, had to be carried from the beach on a stretcher by paramedics who struggled to push it across the sand. Later in the afternoon, six officers moved onto the beach and apprehended a young man for reasons that were not disclosed, escorting him to the promenade as he reportedly resisted arrest before being placed in a police van. Officers also had to break up a brawl near the Red Arrows simulator, where one girl was seen with her hands around another woman’s neck before the confrontation was brought under control.
The scenes came as the Met Office officially declared a heatwave after temperatures reached 30C at Heathrow by 2pm on Sunday — the third consecutive day above the threshold. Seven other locations across southern and eastern England also met the criteria, including Kew Gardens, Northolt and Benson in Oxfordshire. Britain had already recorded its hottest day of the year on Saturday when the village of Frittenden in Kent hit 30.5C — the first time the UK had passed 30C in May since 2012.
Temperatures are expected to climb further still, with southern England and the Midlands forecast to reach 32C on Sunday and a potential 34C on Monday — which would break both the May temperature record and the all-time hottest Bank Holiday record. The current records stand at 32.8C for the UK and England in May and 33.3C for the hottest Bank Holiday. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher said conditions over the weekend were “quite exceptional heat for the time of year,” adding that the May and spring UK temperature records were likely to fall before the weekend was out.
There is also the prospect of Britain’s first ever “tropical night” in May, with overnight temperatures potentially remaining above 20C — conditions the Met Office described as “uncomfortable for sleeping.”
The UK Health Security Agency has upgraded heat health alerts to amber across the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East until 5pm on Wednesday, warning of a likely rise in deaths — particularly among those aged 65 and over — and increased demand on health and social care services. Yellow alerts remain in place for the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West. UKHSA consultant Dr Anya Gopfert urged people to take precautions and check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours, warning that “even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems.”
The heatwave prompted unusual responses elsewhere. Animals at London Zoo were given specially made ice lollies to keep cool — predators received blood-based frozen treats, otters were fed lollies made from shrimp and crayfish, and gorillas were given fruit tea lollies. At Chester Zoo, Andean bears were given ice blocks to stay hydrated. Even the Marylebone Cricket Club relaxed its famously strict dress code at Lord’s, announcing that gentlemen would not be required to wear jackets in the pavilion during matches this weekend.
The heat also added pressure to an already busy travel weekend. Holidaymakers heading to Europe via the Port of Dover faced hours-long queues on Saturday as the new EU entry and exit system created delays. French authorities temporarily suspended the additional border checks to ease congestion, with the port later reporting that traffic had become “free flowing” by late afternoon.
Members of the public have been advised to stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm, keep curtains closed in sun-facing rooms and remain alert to symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Anyone suspected of suffering heatstroke — which can cause confusion, seizures and hot skin that is not sweating — is advised to call 999 immediately.
