Bournemouth faces homelessness crisis as drug deaths rise and beach shanty town emerges

Bournemouth, a UK seaside town, is facing a severe homelessness crisis, with the highest number of rough sleepers outside London. This year, drug overdoses have led to 65 deaths, a significant increase from 34 last year, driven by synthetic opioids. The local authority, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, has seen a rise in anti-social behavior linked to homelessness. A community of homeless individuals even set up a "shanty town" on the beach earlier this year, prompting enforcement actions to relocate them. Despite these challenges, local officials maintain that Bournemouth is generally safe for residents and visitors. They emphasize ongoing efforts to address crime and improve the situation for both the homeless and the community.