Hundreds of Brits fall sick after visiting some of UK’s top beaches ahead of fifth heatwave of year

HUNDREDS of tourists are falling sick at some of Britain’s most affluent beaches ahead of the fifth heatwave of the summer. New figures show high reports of illness across the UK’s beaches, those accredited under British Blue Flag meaning they’ve passed strict tests for cleanliness. Sunseekers in the sea at Croyde beach in Devon Credit: Getty Marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) says it’s received 765 reports of sickness across 406 locations so far this year, reports the Mirror. Further stats show more than 15,000 days – or 41 years – have been taken off work due to illness contracted from UK’s waters since 2019. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! SAS says polluted water has resulted in the likes of ear infections and gastroenteritis, as well as respiratory and skin issues, meaning time off work. Nearly half the reports so far this year have been since May 1 – with Britain currently experiencing its fifth heatwave of the summer so far. The Met Office has forecast potential temperatures of 36C next week, with meteorologists predicting the annual record for days exceeding 30C will be smashed. Beaches with prestigious Blue Flag status have the highest water quality, minimal waste and good biodiversity – as well as being safe and accessible. Bournemouth tops the list for most reports with 16, while 13 came from Croyde Bay in North Devon, and Polzeath in North Cornwall came third on the list. Polzeath is a favourite spot for a number of celebrities, as well as former PM David Cameron who bought a £2million home nearby in 2017. Most read in The Sun He has been frequently pictured at the beach with wife Samantha – while the likes of Princes William and Harry often surfed there growing up. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and TV chef Gordon Ramsey have also made homes in the area. Other beaches ranking highly on the list include Rest Bay in Porthcawl, Wales, with 12 reports of illness, while Exmouth in Devon has 10, and Portreath, North Cornwall, has nine. The top 10 is rounded off with Saunton Sands in North Devon, Swanage Central in Dorset and Ogmore in Barry, Wales, all with eight reports – and Woolacombe Village, North Devon, with seven. However, the location which resulted in the most days off work at 1,014 is St Mary’s Bay in Kent. SAS, which campaigns against pollution on UK beaches, says sewage dumping is “making us sick” and has been ongoing for “decades”. Its latest stats show water companies across England recorded 2,487 pollution incidents in 2024 alone – amounting to a whopping 4.7million hours. Jo Morley, head of campaigns at SAS, told the Mirror: “Thousands of water users are reporting this to us, and this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. “From gastroenteritis and ear infections, to weeks off work and hospitalisations. This is a public health crisis.” She added: “There is no official Government data, and no legal protections for people using the water.” The Sun has approached SAS for more information. Comment now