MIXED messaging caused the serious incident for Bournemouth beach.

This can be easily defined. Local MP Tobias Ellwood, to his credit, apologised that he could not close Bournemouth beach .

A BCP Conservative councillor and the owner of Urban Beach both suggested it was bad for Bournemouth and should not be called a serious incident as the resulting publicity will keep people away.

Even with calling a serious incident we still had multiple stabbings. We had roads on the cliff tops with double parking with 1,000 tickets issued . Still had twice as much litter as normal.

Imagine if a major incident was not called. Would a murder on Bournemouth beach be beyond realms of possibility?

I would suggest the Conservatives on BCP get over the fact they lost their attempt to gain power of BCP Council and follow the lead of Vikki Slade and Tobias Ellwood, and get the government to return to clear messaging.

MIKE CARLILE

Bennett Road, Bournemouth