We do not want people to come down and cause anti-social behaviour, drink and leave their mess, it’s not fair on us residents
LOCALS ON COAST TELL OF VISITORS' BAD BEHAVIOUR
ROWDY youths are drinking alcohol, smashing bottles and ignoring social distancing rules as they flock to the coast, it has been claimed.
People who live on the coast have spoken out about the anti-social behaviour and drunkenness that has blighted North Tyneside’s beaches.
They reported drug abuse and drinking as well as saying that revellers left mountains of litter and booze bottles in their wake this past weekend.
And one says it’s been “particularly bad” since the VE Day celebrations on May 8.
Tynemouth resident Chris Mason, 50, said that he has witnessed widespread scenes of drinking at King Edward’s bay as well as litter including alcohol bottles and empty laughing gas canisters.
He said: “To me, the only way you can maintain a robust immune system is by going out to exercise, I have no issue with people going out.
“I do think people have been cooped up for so long and their lives have been put on hold and people have been dying to visit the beach.
“The council is trying to pick up the litter, and a lot of the locals are meeting on the evening to pick up the litter.
“I have been involved in these and have seen dozens of bags filled up with broken glass, crisp packets and chip wrappers.
“I was at King Edward’s Bay this weekend and have witnessed some really unpleasant behaviour from kids that have been drinking.
“A lot of them are clearly under 18 and you have families coming down with cans of beer and some of the parents are mortal.
“I’ve also seen a lot of spent cartridges on the beach and I have been told they contained laughing gas.
“When people are going home and walking along the seafront they are leaving litter.” Teresa McManus, 50, who lives in Cullercoats, said the coast has been a “nightmare” since the VE Day weekend, with drinking and drug-taking rife.
“Since VE Day the coast has been a nightmare. Mainly groups of teenagers coming on the Metro,” she said.
“Mostly drinking and drug-taking. Litter, loud and bad language, offensive behaviour. The last few weekends have been particularly bad.
“Yesterday, I walked over Cullercoats Bay. Huge groups of teenagers. Drinking, smoking weed.
“What I was surprised about was the total and utter lack of respect for the police. The kids just were not bothered.”
But she also said that residents need to be more tolerant towards people that are enjoying the coast in a responsible way.
She added: “We do not ‘own’ the coastline. It’s for everyone. I hear people complaining about the ‘peasants invading the coast.’ And ‘chavs on the Metro.’
“We just need to be kind and rational. Lockdown is quite lovely for the mainly middle classes living by the coast. Not as great for a teenager living in a flat in town, with a dysfunctional family.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said that anti-social behaviour was being overstated.
He said: “We’ve walked the dog all the way from Cullercoats to Whitley. Yes, it’s been busy but people are getting way too stressed for a
bit of litter. We’ve seen groups of teens and kids and overall the behaviour has been good. It’s been a tiny minority stressing everyone out.”
Coun Lewis Bartoli, who represents Tynemouth, and is a member of the volunteer life brigade, said that yobs aren’t welcome.
He added: “The amount of police, particularly in Cullercoats, was incredible. The problem is twofold. Water and alcohol don’t mix. This is kids coming from out of the area and causing trouble.
“We don’t want people to come down and cause anti-social behaviour, drink, and leave their mess, it’s not fair on us residents.”
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said the force had dealt with reports of anti-social behaviour in Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.
She said: “Over the weekend, police received a small number of reports concerning anti-social behaviour in Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.
“It was reported that groups of teenagers were on the beaches drinking alcohol, smashing bottles and not adhering to social distancing guidance.
“There were also reports of antisocial behaviour at the surrounding Metro stations.
“Officers were deployed to the area and engaged with those gathering and where necessary dispersed groups and escorted some people home to ensure no further disorder.
“We would ask everyone to follow the regulations in place in relation to coronavirus.”
North Tyneside Council says it had been working with the police and deployed extra staff to tackle problems in the area.
Coun Carole Burdis, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Working alongside Northumbria Police, the council deployed extra staff to the coast at the weekend, following reports of anti-social behaviour.
“Our team engaged with several young people and the police dispersed others from the beach, and our team was out patrolling these areas again on Sunday to provide reassurance for local people.
“The recent high temperatures have attracted thousands of visitors to the coast and it is worrying to see certain groups take such a blasè attitude towards social distancing, despite all the national and local guidance.”
Nexus spends £1m a year on a dedicated police presence on the Metro, who patrol alongside customer service staff, though it’s not possible to be at every station at once.
A Nexus spokesman said: “Safety and security on Metro is our top priority and we are working closely with Northumbria Police to crackdown on anti-social behaviour as lockdown measures lift.
“Extra staff and police will be patrolling the Metro system in North Tyneside to deal with any issues where large groups are travelling to coastal stations when they don’t need to.”