More than 1,700 vehicles were issued penalty notices and dozens were towed over the weekend as BCP Council responded to illegal and inconsiderate parking across the conurbation.
Cars left on pavements, grass verges and double yellow lines were removed, with tow trucks operating in visible locations throughout the area.
The main surface car park at Sandbanks was full by 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday due to large-scale events, causing significant traffic delays.
In Bournemouth, congestion built up quickly on Bath Road, where nearby car parks also reached capacity. Similar problems were reported along Sea Road in Boscombe, and at Durley Chine and Branksome Chine.
Cllr Richard Herrett, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, said: “We knew that the hot weather would bring a large amount of people into Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and our teams put in a huge amount of effort to ensure everyone visiting had a safe and enjoyable time.
“I’d like to thank our hard-working staff across the council, and our partners, in particular Dorset Police and the RNLI, for ensuring extra police officers and lifeguards were on our beaches this weekend.
“Of course, not everyone who visited over the last few days has shown respect for our area, but our teams dealt with these challenges to make sure everybody could enjoy their time in BCP.
“It was great to see so many people with a smile on their face as they enjoyed the best of what we have to offer – some incredible events, 15 miles of sandy coastlines, and 2,500 hectares of natural open spaces – and I hope to see many of them return throughout the year.”
Councillor Rich Herrett warned drivers that anyone obstructing a key route risked being towed and facing a fine.
Council staff were also out early each morning clearing litter along the coastline. Around nine tonnes of rubbish were collected from locations stretching from Mudeford Spit to Alum Chine before seafront areas began to fill up with visitors.
Elsewhere, traffic was disrupted by several crashes on key routes, including the A338 near Ashley Heath and the A31 around Ringwood.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Darren Harris, of Bournemouth Police, said: “The beaches were busy across the BCP area this weekend and our officers were carrying out patrols and engaging with the public to ensure everyone could have a safe and enjoyable time.
“The vast majority of people were well-behaved, and it was great to see so many enjoying themselves responsibly.
“Across three evenings we issued over 60 section 35 dispersal notices ordering people to leave the area who were acting in an anti-social manner. In addition to this, we were out confiscating alcohol and nitrous oxide to prevent any behaviour from escalating.
“We’re asking you all to continue to have fun responsibly and look after yourself, your belongings and each other.
“Our staff, officers and technology will continue to be out and about, working with our partner agencies including BCP Council and those at the railway stations, to make sure that everyone who is living or visiting the area can have a good, safe summer.”
On parking around the BCP area, Cllr Herrett added: “The vast majority of drivers respect the area, but we were incredibly frustrated to see some parking inconsiderately, and in some cases dangerously, at the expense of residents and businesses.
“These irresponsible choices risk people’s lives. Emergency vehicles struggle to get through key routes when cars are parked in this way.
“Even at our busiest, we have enough car parking capacity in the BCP area; when seafront car parks in Bournemouth become full, as they were at the weekend, we encourage drivers to use the Avenue Rd and Richmond Gardens car park and take a stroll through the Lower Gardens to the beach.
“These car parks all had significant space this weekend and are a great choice for anyone visiting us this summer.
“You won’t get fined, you won’t endanger anyone, you’ll get back on the Wessex Way easier and you will respect our resort. “