Two women were allegedly sexually assaulted in separate incidents on Bournemouth beach earlier this week during the UK's record-breaking June heatwave. Dorset Police confirmed the attacks occurred in broad daylight on Tuesday, June 23.
Details of the incidents
The first assault was reported at 3:07pm and involved a woman in her 20s who was allegedly touched inappropriately over her clothing while in the sea. The second incident occurred at 4:18pm, involving a teenage woman who was also allegedly touched over her clothing. Police stated the two offences are not being treated as linked.
Officers arrested two men in connection with the alleged assaults. A 37-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault for the first incident, and a 24-year-old man, also from London, was arrested for the second. Both have been released on bail and banned from Dorset.
Political response
Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale commented on the incidents, saying, "My thoughts are with the victims. It is right that the perpetrators have been banned from the area." She added, "Women should not have to modify their lives, their choices, or how they enjoy a sunny day to stay safe from the men committing these crimes. This is yet another example of people coming from outside the area and failing to treat it and the people who live here with the respect they deserve."
Record-breaking heatwave
This week saw the UK experience its hottest June day on record for three consecutive days. On Friday, June 26, temperatures reached 37°C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing the previous record set on Thursday, June 25, when 36.7°C was recorded in Merryfield, Somerset. That temperature had exceeded Wednesday's 36.1°C in Gosport, Hampshire, a record that had stood since June 1976. Wednesday night also set a record for the UK's warmest June night, with overnight temperatures in Cardiff not dropping below 23.5°C, compared to the previous record of 22.7°C set in 1976.
