A SENIOR councillor has said action will be taken against a group of seven tents spotted on Bournemouth beach. 

Another group of campers have pitched their tents on full view along the seafront, sparking fury among some residents. 

One reader who spotted them on Tuesday morning, August 3 said: “They even have their own dingy, furniture and chairs outside the tents. 

“So much for fines and being moved on, not even discreetly hidden, just opposite Harry Ramsdens.” 

Kieron Wilson, BCP Council's cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “We are aware of the tents on the beach and are taking further action. 

“We have a multi-agency approach to dealing with tents on the beach, and are working closely with St Mungo’s, CSAS and the council’s housing and communities teams to provide support to these people.” 

A meeting by senior councillors last autumn heard that the local authority found no "detrimental" evidence to use serious powers to stop overnight sleeping and camping along the beachfront. 

Cllr Wilson previously said that to include a ban on overnight sleeping along the coastline, incidents must be deemed to have a “detrimental effect” and not just “inconvenient”. 

He said to be detrimental, it must “cause harm”. 

But opposition leader Phil Broadhead pointed out a survey found that over three-quarters of BCP's residents thought that it was a good idea to be tough on the campers and evict them. 

He said: “Who are we here to represent? Our visitors who want a free holiday or our residents that have said for too long we don’t have the enforcement powers.” 

Overnight camping on the beach is technically not allowed, and the council's website says to “be prepared to be disturbed as a 24-hour beach patrol will be repeatedly visiting to gather evidence for prosecution”. 

If fines are imposed, it could cost £1,000.