Latest news with #RangeRovers
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
The major car brand most likely to be targeted by thieves with five models in UK top 10
While the Ford Focus is the most stolen vehicle in Britain, one make in particular was a more popular target for crooks. A luxury car brand is the most targeted by crooks in the UK. Its models account for half of the top 10 most stolen vehicles, according to the DVLA's latest statistics. Leapfrogging the previously favoured Range Rovers from Jaguar Land Rover is the Lexus. The driving agency's figures from 2024 documented over 61,000 stolen cars. The Ford Focus, which is the UK's most popular second-hand vehicle, had the most thefts overall, vehicles made by Lexus were targeted far more proportionately. In fact, owners of a Lexus ES 300 were much more likely to have their car nicked, with an incredible one in 30 of them being stolen by thieves. It was joined in the DVLA top 10 by the RX 450, LC 500, UX 250, and NX 300 models, as reported by the Mirror. In response to these alarming figures, Toyota, the parent company of Lexus, emphasised their significant investment in security measures. They said: 'Toyota GB has invested millions of pounds in a variety of security solutions. Our anti-theft measures form part of a nationwide customer care offering. 'For example, at a cost of more than £10million to Lexus, selected customers were provided with a free Tracker vehicle location service. 'As a result, a 96 per cent recovery rate has been achieved. We have subsequently rolled out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models.' The latest figures may leave Lexus owners feeling uneasy, but they also shine a light on the strides Jaguar Land Rover has taken to secure their vehicles in recent times, marking them as some of the most secure cars in the nation. Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, a company aiding individuals in protecting their vehicles from theft, acknowledged in a separate statement the advancements made by the renowned British manufacturer. But he added that continuous efforts are necessary to stop stolen cars from being exported illegally from the UK. He said: "Lexus is making considerable efforts to protect its customers' cars but JLR suffered a rise in thefts sooner than it and so has had more time to react and develop solutions. "However, its cars are still being stolen. There is a thriving market overseas for Lexus, JLR and other premium vehicles and we recover many at docksides." Last month, we told motorists of a tip that could help them avoid having their car nicked - and it's all about where you place your keys. Thefts of keyless cars - vehicles that unlock automatically when the key is nearby - are on the rise in many areas, with roughly two-thirds of all stolen vehicles in England and Wales falling victim to this type of crime. Crooks can mimic the fob's signal by using a relay device if they're close by, tricking the car into unlocking itself and allowing anyone to drive off with it. The signals used by criminals are typically short-range radio waves, making it more challenging for criminals to capture the signal if the key is kept at a distance from the car. So if you keep your key away from doors or windows, especially those at the side of your home where the car is parked, then you give yourself the best chance of avoiding this criminal tactic. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Range Rover Electric gives a taste of things to come
ThermAsist is an intelligent system that transfers heat around the vehicle on demand, allowing it to also cool the cabin and precondition the battery to its optimum charging temperature. The batteries, with up to 118kWh capacity, are stored in the vehicle's floor, which reduces the centre of gravity for improved handling. The electric Range Rover five-seater has a similar weight to the ICE and PHEV versions and the same cabin and boot space. Pre-launch testing is taking place before the vehicle goes on sale next year and I had a brief drive in a prototype on an obstacle course set up by Range Rover at the Goodwood racing circuit in the UK last week. Riding on height-adjustable air suspension, the big SUV silently and effortlessly crawled through axle twisters and over steep gradients, displaying the brand's renowned trail-tackling skills honed over five generations. The electric powertrain does away with the need for a low-range transfer case or a physical driveline, saving weight and complexity. There are two electric motors powering the vehicle — one at each axle — with the computer-controlled drivetrain able to direct power individually to each wheel to maintain maximum traction in all driving conditions. To further enhance its adventure capability, it has adaptive off-road cruise control, hill-descent control and a unique throttle response for each Terrain Response drive mode. Like other Range Rovers, it has four-wheel steering to help the big car manoeuvre more easily through tight spaces. A single pedal driving mode provides strong regenerative braking when off throttle, allowing the vehicle to be driven with minimum use of the brake pedal. In the slow-paced obstacle course the electric Range Rover felt serene, but the company says it will feel just as calm in high-speed driving as it's the quietest Range Rover to date, with active road noise cancellation. The South African launch date and pricing of the Range Rover Electric have not been confirmed.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
One popular car brand makes up half of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in UK
New data from the DVLA has revealed that the most stolen car by proportion of models available is now no longer the Range Rover Motorists have been told that one particular brand of car is proving more popular than anything else for thieves. While in the past thieves were targeting Range Rovers, produced by Jaguar Land Rover, new data has suggested they are now going after Lexus cars instead. Data from the DVLA, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency, shows that five Lexus cars are in the top 10 cars most likely to be stolen. The DVLA assessed stolen car data from 2024, a year in which more than 61,000 cars were stolen, to come to the conclusion. Their data found that whilst the most stolen car was also the UK's most popular second-hand car, the Ford Fiesta, they noticed that cars made by Lexus made up a significant proportion of the thefts as opposed to sheer number. What this means in practice is that while the Ford Fiesta was the most stolen car by volume, in terms of proportion of thefts to vehicles produced it was much lower as a percentage. Their research, that ranks stolen cars as proportion of the total number registered, discovered that the Lexus ES 300 was the car most likely to be stolen in 2024 with one in 30 of the vehicles stolen. Other Lexus models included in the list were the Lexus RX 450, LC 500, UX 250 and NX 300, reports Autocar. Following the announcement of the results, a spokesperson for Toyota, who own Lexus, said: 'Toyota GB has invested millions of pounds in a variety of security solutions. Our anti-theft measures form part of a nationwide customer care offering. 'For example, at a cost of more than £10million to Lexus, selected customers were provided with a free Tracker vehicle location service. 'As a result, a 96% recovery rate has been achieved. We have subsequently rolled out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models.' Although the new data is sad reading for those who may own a Lexus it demonstrates the progress made by Jaguar Land Rover to protect their cars in recent years, with the vehicles now some of the most protected in the country. In a separate statement, head of police liaison at Tracker Clive Wain added that while progress had been made by the British brand that there was still more work to be done to stop stolen cars leaving the country. He explained: 'Lexus is making considerable efforts to protect its customers' cars but JLR suffered a rise in thefts sooner than it and so has had more time to react and develop solutions. 'However, its cars are still being stolen. There is a thriving market overseas for Lexus, JLR and other premium vehicles and we recover many at docksides.'
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Range Rover Electric: 'Don't change it, just make it better"
JLR is well down the path of introducing its first electric Range Rover, which is expected sometime next year, but the company's approach is as notable for how long it has taken to come to market as it is about the philosophical debate around electrification. With JLR's previous electric vehicle (EV), the Jaguar I-Pace, not having performed well in both the sales and reliability charts, the company is adamant that this time it will wait until it's ready to release the Range Rover EV. Rather than reimagining an all-new Range Rover, the company has opted to adapt its existing design and platform to accommodate an electric powertrain, a move summarised by its internal philosophy: "Don't change it, just make it better." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and come down the same production line. It features a substantial 118kWh usable battery – comprising 344 prismatic cells using NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry – supplying energy to the dual-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The company claims the battery and the motors are designed and manufactured in-house, although the cells themselves likely come from BYD (Land Rover wouldn't confirm its battery supplier). Despite the new drivetrain, key characteristics such as cabin layout, boot space, and off-road geometry remain unchanged. There's also no front boot, which the engineers told is deliberate as to not add elements customers don't need. "This is about integrating electric propulsion into what is an established Range Rover design," said Lynfel Owen, chief engineer of vehicle engineering. "So you know, the target was always, how do we look at today's cars, our combustion engines and everything we do today? How do we make that better with EV propulsion?" The engineering team focused on maintaining performance and ride quality. According to Mr Owen, the Range Rover Electric benefits from upgraded suspension components – including dual-valve air springs and revised bushings – specifically tuned to handle the demands of an electric setup. Torsional rigidity is also up, with this model claiming the title of the stiffest Range Rover to date. While many EVs introduce entirely new driving experiences (like Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen), Land Rover is banking on familiarity. Terrain modes from combustion models have been retained, and the company has developed its own intelligent traction control system (ITM) to manage torque across all four wheels. The ITM system allows for millisecond-level torque vectoring between wheels, with cross-axle capability and the ability to emulate both two-wheel and four-wheel drive. It replaces traditional mechanical driveline components with software precision, providing finer control in both on- and off-road environments. "We've optimised all of the terrain modes for Range Rover Electric," Mr Owen explained. "It's about making it actually comfortable off-road and reducing driver demand in challenging conditions." The model also includes adaptive thermal management with a proprietary heat pump system designed to improve efficiency and comfort. Land Rover says the system can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C, recovering waste heat to reduce energy consumption by up to 40 per cent compared with the brand's previous electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-Pace. While other manufacturers often borrow EV components from shared platforms, Land Rover's vertically integrated approach reflects its aim to control the Range Rover Electric experience end to end. It may look familiar, but beneath the skin, this is the most technologically advanced model the company has built. With more than 62,000 customers already expressing interest globally, the Range Rover Electric appears to be landing well with buyers looking for electrification without dramatic change. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from: JLR is well down the path of introducing its first electric Range Rover, which is expected sometime next year, but the company's approach is as notable for how long it has taken to come to market as it is about the philosophical debate around electrification. With JLR's previous electric vehicle (EV), the Jaguar I-Pace, not having performed well in both the sales and reliability charts, the company is adamant that this time it will wait until it's ready to release the Range Rover EV. Rather than reimagining an all-new Range Rover, the company has opted to adapt its existing design and platform to accommodate an electric powertrain, a move summarised by its internal philosophy: "Don't change it, just make it better." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and come down the same production line. It features a substantial 118kWh usable battery – comprising 344 prismatic cells using NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry – supplying energy to the dual-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The company claims the battery and the motors are designed and manufactured in-house, although the cells themselves likely come from BYD (Land Rover wouldn't confirm its battery supplier). Despite the new drivetrain, key characteristics such as cabin layout, boot space, and off-road geometry remain unchanged. There's also no front boot, which the engineers told is deliberate as to not add elements customers don't need. "This is about integrating electric propulsion into what is an established Range Rover design," said Lynfel Owen, chief engineer of vehicle engineering. "So you know, the target was always, how do we look at today's cars, our combustion engines and everything we do today? How do we make that better with EV propulsion?" The engineering team focused on maintaining performance and ride quality. According to Mr Owen, the Range Rover Electric benefits from upgraded suspension components – including dual-valve air springs and revised bushings – specifically tuned to handle the demands of an electric setup. Torsional rigidity is also up, with this model claiming the title of the stiffest Range Rover to date. While many EVs introduce entirely new driving experiences (like Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen), Land Rover is banking on familiarity. Terrain modes from combustion models have been retained, and the company has developed its own intelligent traction control system (ITM) to manage torque across all four wheels. The ITM system allows for millisecond-level torque vectoring between wheels, with cross-axle capability and the ability to emulate both two-wheel and four-wheel drive. It replaces traditional mechanical driveline components with software precision, providing finer control in both on- and off-road environments. "We've optimised all of the terrain modes for Range Rover Electric," Mr Owen explained. "It's about making it actually comfortable off-road and reducing driver demand in challenging conditions." The model also includes adaptive thermal management with a proprietary heat pump system designed to improve efficiency and comfort. Land Rover says the system can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C, recovering waste heat to reduce energy consumption by up to 40 per cent compared with the brand's previous electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-Pace. While other manufacturers often borrow EV components from shared platforms, Land Rover's vertically integrated approach reflects its aim to control the Range Rover Electric experience end to end. It may look familiar, but beneath the skin, this is the most technologically advanced model the company has built. With more than 62,000 customers already expressing interest globally, the Range Rover Electric appears to be landing well with buyers looking for electrification without dramatic change. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from: JLR is well down the path of introducing its first electric Range Rover, which is expected sometime next year, but the company's approach is as notable for how long it has taken to come to market as it is about the philosophical debate around electrification. With JLR's previous electric vehicle (EV), the Jaguar I-Pace, not having performed well in both the sales and reliability charts, the company is adamant that this time it will wait until it's ready to release the Range Rover EV. Rather than reimagining an all-new Range Rover, the company has opted to adapt its existing design and platform to accommodate an electric powertrain, a move summarised by its internal philosophy: "Don't change it, just make it better." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and come down the same production line. It features a substantial 118kWh usable battery – comprising 344 prismatic cells using NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry – supplying energy to the dual-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The company claims the battery and the motors are designed and manufactured in-house, although the cells themselves likely come from BYD (Land Rover wouldn't confirm its battery supplier). Despite the new drivetrain, key characteristics such as cabin layout, boot space, and off-road geometry remain unchanged. There's also no front boot, which the engineers told is deliberate as to not add elements customers don't need. "This is about integrating electric propulsion into what is an established Range Rover design," said Lynfel Owen, chief engineer of vehicle engineering. "So you know, the target was always, how do we look at today's cars, our combustion engines and everything we do today? How do we make that better with EV propulsion?" The engineering team focused on maintaining performance and ride quality. According to Mr Owen, the Range Rover Electric benefits from upgraded suspension components – including dual-valve air springs and revised bushings – specifically tuned to handle the demands of an electric setup. Torsional rigidity is also up, with this model claiming the title of the stiffest Range Rover to date. While many EVs introduce entirely new driving experiences (like Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen), Land Rover is banking on familiarity. Terrain modes from combustion models have been retained, and the company has developed its own intelligent traction control system (ITM) to manage torque across all four wheels. The ITM system allows for millisecond-level torque vectoring between wheels, with cross-axle capability and the ability to emulate both two-wheel and four-wheel drive. It replaces traditional mechanical driveline components with software precision, providing finer control in both on- and off-road environments. "We've optimised all of the terrain modes for Range Rover Electric," Mr Owen explained. "It's about making it actually comfortable off-road and reducing driver demand in challenging conditions." The model also includes adaptive thermal management with a proprietary heat pump system designed to improve efficiency and comfort. Land Rover says the system can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C, recovering waste heat to reduce energy consumption by up to 40 per cent compared with the brand's previous electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-Pace. While other manufacturers often borrow EV components from shared platforms, Land Rover's vertically integrated approach reflects its aim to control the Range Rover Electric experience end to end. It may look familiar, but beneath the skin, this is the most technologically advanced model the company has built. With more than 62,000 customers already expressing interest globally, the Range Rover Electric appears to be landing well with buyers looking for electrification without dramatic change. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from: JLR is well down the path of introducing its first electric Range Rover, which is expected sometime next year, but the company's approach is as notable for how long it has taken to come to market as it is about the philosophical debate around electrification. With JLR's previous electric vehicle (EV), the Jaguar I-Pace, not having performed well in both the sales and reliability charts, the company is adamant that this time it will wait until it's ready to release the Range Rover EV. Rather than reimagining an all-new Range Rover, the company has opted to adapt its existing design and platform to accommodate an electric powertrain, a move summarised by its internal philosophy: "Don't change it, just make it better." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and come down the same production line. It features a substantial 118kWh usable battery – comprising 344 prismatic cells using NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry – supplying energy to the dual-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The company claims the battery and the motors are designed and manufactured in-house, although the cells themselves likely come from BYD (Land Rover wouldn't confirm its battery supplier). Despite the new drivetrain, key characteristics such as cabin layout, boot space, and off-road geometry remain unchanged. There's also no front boot, which the engineers told is deliberate as to not add elements customers don't need. "This is about integrating electric propulsion into what is an established Range Rover design," said Lynfel Owen, chief engineer of vehicle engineering. "So you know, the target was always, how do we look at today's cars, our combustion engines and everything we do today? How do we make that better with EV propulsion?" The engineering team focused on maintaining performance and ride quality. According to Mr Owen, the Range Rover Electric benefits from upgraded suspension components – including dual-valve air springs and revised bushings – specifically tuned to handle the demands of an electric setup. Torsional rigidity is also up, with this model claiming the title of the stiffest Range Rover to date. While many EVs introduce entirely new driving experiences (like Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen), Land Rover is banking on familiarity. Terrain modes from combustion models have been retained, and the company has developed its own intelligent traction control system (ITM) to manage torque across all four wheels. The ITM system allows for millisecond-level torque vectoring between wheels, with cross-axle capability and the ability to emulate both two-wheel and four-wheel drive. It replaces traditional mechanical driveline components with software precision, providing finer control in both on- and off-road environments. "We've optimised all of the terrain modes for Range Rover Electric," Mr Owen explained. "It's about making it actually comfortable off-road and reducing driver demand in challenging conditions." The model also includes adaptive thermal management with a proprietary heat pump system designed to improve efficiency and comfort. Land Rover says the system can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C, recovering waste heat to reduce energy consumption by up to 40 per cent compared with the brand's previous electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-Pace. While other manufacturers often borrow EV components from shared platforms, Land Rover's vertically integrated approach reflects its aim to control the Range Rover Electric experience end to end. It may look familiar, but beneath the skin, this is the most technologically advanced model the company has built. With more than 62,000 customers already expressing interest globally, the Range Rover Electric appears to be landing well with buyers looking for electrification without dramatic change. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from:
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
We live in UK's poshest seaside town but it's like Magaluf mayhem this weekend – boozy louts bonk in the sea
Locals also complained about the stench, admitting they've been 'trying to get rid of the event for 18 years' BUCKET AND LAID We live in UK's poshest seaside town but it's like Magaluf mayhem this weekend – boozy louts bonk in the sea Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUNBURNT music lovers high on drugs stagger out of the beachfront venue gnawing on bars of soap nicked from loos en route to the snaking taxi queue, which usually descends into a mass brawl. Meanwhile inebriated men and women brazenly relieve themselves in the doorways of multi-million pound homes. 25 Crowds of 5000 revellers cram on to the beach for SandFest Credit: Sandfest 25 Swanky Sandbanks descends into chaos during the festival Credit: Sandfest 25 Jennifer Krzyzanowska was horrified to see people so intoxicated they were gnawing on soap Credit: BNPS 25 Sophia Horwood says many locals dread the event Credit: BNPS This is SandFest, held in the ultra exclusive beach resort of Sandbanks in Dorset, home to the likes of Harry and Jamie Redknapp, where the streets are lined with mega mansions worth up to £30million. Gated driveways boast gleaming Porches, Range Rovers and Bentleys, while superyachts bob on the glistening blue sea. It is famously one of the most expensive and prestigious places to live in Britain, but this weekend frustrated residents say their genteel neighbourhood resembles Magaluf, the notorious Spanish party resort known for its cheap package holidays and shocking drunken chaos. More than 10,000 people are due to descend for a series of rowdy events - first a polo party called SandPolo, followed by SandFest, a music concert described as a "boutique beach festival" where headline acts have included Idris Elba, Rudimental and Tinie Tempah. This Sunday house DJ Sonny Fodera tops the bill, alongside Katy B, Danny Howard and Saffron Stone, along with DJ sets from Elderbrook and Alex Mills. Jennifer Krzyzanowska, 25, runs Shacks By The Shore, a popular snack bar doing a brisk trade on the edge of the sandy beach, but her team are already preparing for the worst. 'It's always horrendous,' she told The Sun when we visited this week. 'People are so out of it, I've seen guys coming out of there eating bars of blue soap. 'Every year when the venue empties, big fights break out because the taxi queue is so long, and people dive into the sea to cool off. 'There's all kinds going on in the water - they're having sex in there and using it as a toilet. 'The whole thing is a health hazard, but no-one is thinking about their health when they've been drinking in the baking hot sun all day. We live in UK's 'Monte Carlo', it used to be millionaire's playground but now it's ruined by 80mph boy racers 'Another problem on a warm weekend is the beach will be absolutely rammed because the site takes up so much space. "I know some local businesses have to bring in extra security.' Jennifer's colleague Sophia Harwood, 20, added: 'It's basically just a massive all-day drinking session, it gets ugly. A lot of people don't like it.' The tiny town is often referred to as Britain's answer to Monte Carlo - with property prices soaring three times higher than the national average. But many locals feel shut out of the events, where VIP tickets go for £1,200. Heavily intoxicated people are falling into hedges, and it can take over an hour to get out of the house. Charlyn Dean Charlyn Dean, 41, has a stunning four bedroom property in a prime location which rents out at £10,000 a week during the peak summer months. But leading us through to her immaculate back garden, she points to her blighted view. 'As you can see, our garden is right behind the main stage and it gets unbelievably loud," she said. 'The whole place is packed out, heavily intoxicated people are falling into hedges, and it can take over an hour to get out of the house. 'It's frustrating to say the least.' 'It doesn't feel safe' 25 Revellers drink all day and brawl on the beach when the event ends Credit: Sandfest 25 Residents have witnessed party goers bonking in the sea Credit: Sandfest 25 Charlyn Dean and Holly Jones' garden backs on to the main stage Credit: BNPS 25 Frustrated Bill and Margaret Sharp protect their home with police cones Credit: BNPS 25 Locals say the event attracts people looking for trouble Credit: BNPS Equally frustrated by the chaos are retired couple Margaret and Bill Sharp, both 80. They are the proud owners of a charming beachfront apartment with sweeping views of Poole Harbour and the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast, but have resorted to extreme measures to protect their home this year. They have invested in their own bright yellow police cones to cordon off their driveway. Margaret explained: 'If we don't put the cones out people use our driveway for a party - they hang around drinking and dancing on their way out of the festival. 'They double park and it doesn't feel safe for us - there is no way an ambulance or fire engine could get down here if there was an emergency. It's dangerous.' When we visited Sandbanks a vast swathe of the beach was cordoned off by high metal fences in preparation for the three days of festivities, squashing frustrated holiday makers closer together in the remaining space. Meanwhile the rows of highly-prized beach huts on the idyllic peninsula have their coveted sea views obliterated for two weeks by enormous marquees and rows of portaloos, which locals say can cause quite the stench. It's so depressing. When the festival is on we're just resigned to not going out, because if we do we can't get home again Chris Weedon Another issue is traffic. With only one narrow road leading on to the luxury peninsula from nearby Poole, the festivals create tailbacks for miles, and the only car park is rammed by 8am. With traffic at a standstill, ticket holders have been known to simply abandon their cars across residents' driveways and even in the middle of the roundabout. Kite surfer Chris Weedon, who lives with his wife Angela in a towering four storey house overlooking the beach, said of the event: 'It's so depressing. 'When the festival is on we're just resigned to not going out, because if we do we can't get home again. 'Late at night when the road is clear they roar down here on motorbikes, doing wheelies at 60mph. Someone is going to die.' He added: 'The litter is just dire, people dump their bottles and cans and I usually spend an hour in the morning filling three sacks of rubbish from outside my house." 25 Kite surfer Chris Weedon fills three sacks of rubbish in the aftermath of the event Credit: BNPS 25 Cops struggle to maintain order amid the chaos Credit: BNPS 25 Fleets of delivery vans block access to the beach on one of the warmest weekends Credit: BNPS 25 Highly-prized beach huts no longer have a sea view Credit: BNPS 25 Traffic is gridlocked and festival goers dump their cars at the side of the road Credit: BNPS 25 With the road at a standstill emergency vehicles have no way to get through Credit: BNPS 25 Sarah Phillips and Katie Fowler keep their kids well away from the events Credit: BNPS Local resident Dave Watts, 55, told us: "The parking is total chaos. "There's only one car park here but it's completely full by seven or eight in the morning when there's an event on, which means locals can't just come and enjoy the beach on one of the nicest weekends of the year.' He said anti-social behaviour is also rife, adding: "I've caught women squatting in my doorway - it's not just the men who feel they can urinate wherever they please." In previous years it was reported that some horrified parents felt forced to leave the beach after a DJ unleashed a torrent of foul language. Families were bombarded with swear words from the rowdy festival as they tried to enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the sand. Mum-of-two Katie Fowler, 39, told us: 'It gets rowdy. We certainly won't be coming down here with the kids. 'Because the event takes up a big chunk of the beach, everyone else gets squeezed together.' 'It's like Magaluf' 25 Dave Watts has caught men and women urinating in his doorway Credit: BNPS 25 Peter and Nina Martin were furious to find their pricey sea view blocked Credit: BNPS 25 The festival site takes up a huge chunk of the beach Credit: Sandfest Peter and Nina Martin, both 72, spend £3,000 a year renting a picture-perfect blue and white beach hut at Sandbanks, and usually visit every day throughout the summer. But Peter sighed: 'We won't come near the place when these events are happening, we can't. 'These kids behave like they're in Magaluf or somewhere like that. 'There's too much fighting going on, and they pitch tents to sleep on the beach after the festival, even though camping is not allowed, and just dump their tents in the morning. 'It's annoying. This is a beautiful sandy beach and some days it can feel like the Caribbean here, but right now it looks like an ugly industrial estate. 'We've paid a lot of money for a sea view but all you can see from here is fences, tents and toilets.' Christine Jeandren, 62, is also furious that her sea view is entirely obliterated for two whole weeks while organisers prepare for and dismantle the events. She explained: 'The whole thing is ridiculous and locals don't want it, it's hell. 'All I can see is portaloos and there is no getting away from the smell of those toilets in this heat. We won't come near the place when these events are happening, we can't. These kids behave like they're in Magaluf or somewhere like that Peter Martin 'There are masses of youngsters everywhere and their behaviour is awful. I've caught teenagers smoking weed in the bushes, that stinks too. 'If I want to go in the sea we have to walk all the way around the fenced-off area, and you can hear the music blaring half an hour away. 'Sandbanks is just not set up for events this big. I don't understand why they don't move it further away to Bournemouth. 'We've been trying to get rid of it for 18 years. 'It usually takes us 15 minutes to get here on the bus from Poole but when this event is on it can take a couple of hours, the whole thing is gridlocked. 'Basically it's carnage.' 25 Christine Jeandren has been battling for years to get the eyesore moved Credit: BNPS 25 Locals say the tiny town can't cope with such vast numbers of visitors Credit: Sandfest 25 VIP guests arrive in Sandbanks in style Credit: BNPS 25 5,000 people are expected on each day of the festival Credit: BNPS 25 The three-day extravaganza kicks off with polo matches Credit: BNPS 25 Locals say you can hear the music for miles around Credit: James Bridle
