Shoreham Beach Gets Weekend Patrols As Visitor Numbers Soar

A weekend patrol is to be established at Shoreham Beach to help ensure safety during what is expected to be a busier than normal summer season.

Wardens from the Worthing Coastal Office will extend their beat to the land side of the beach, offering safety advice to visitors and ensuring parking restrictions are adhered to, among other services.

The beach has become a popular destination this year, leading to concerns that overcrowding may lead to increased danger to visitors and the fragile ecosystem of the area — much of which is a designated Local Nature Reserve.

The wardens will be patrolling 1.8 miles from the Church of the Good Shepherd to the Western Breakwater Arm at Shoreham Harbour starting from today (Saturday).

Adur District Council's Executive Member for the Environment, Cllr Emma Evans, said: 

"Of course we welcome visitors to our area but we want to ensure they are safe and that the environment is protected.

"The wardens will be able to keep an eye on the beach at weekends. For instance we have had instances already of parking which has created hazards for local residents and potentially the emergency services already. This will be a light touch service that should help ensure people enjoy the beautiful environment of the beach but can do so responsibly.''

The wardens will also inspect rescue aids for serviceability, keep the swim areas free of vessels, anglers or sporting pursuits, report any beach hut vandalism, remove any offensive waste and liaise with local watersports clubs.