Large groups of secondary school students have been gathering on Southsea beach, just east of South Parade Pier, during the recent heatwave and post-exam period. Many are leaving behind significant amounts of rubbish, creating an unsightly and potentially hazardous environment.
Photographs taken at 8pm on 1 July 2025 show the extent of the litter left on the beach after students depart, usually between 6pm and 7pm. Despite bins being available on the promenade just a short distance away, much of the waste remains on the sand.
The discarded rubbish poses a danger to the environment and to people walking along the beach, who risk stepping on broken glass. Concerns have also been raised about the negative impression this leaves on visitors to Portsmouth’s holiday resort.
Council workers clear the beach each morning. However, there appears to be no council patrol present to educate students on proper disposal of litter or to issue fines for leaving rubbish behind.
While environmental issues such as fly tipping and marine pollution are part of the school curriculum, it seems students are not connecting these lessons to their own local area. The groups are believed to be students from the High School, Grammar School, and Priory School, all located in Southsea.
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