Operation Coastwatch returning in summer to tackle anti-social behaviour

A POLICE operation which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour along the North Tyneside coast is set to return this summer.

Operation Coastwatch launched in 2014, with North Tyneside Council working alongside Northumbria Police and Nexus to tackle pockets of disorder along the coastline. The initiative has already seen antisocial behaviour fall to a 10-year low and runs from April to

October.

New figures show a 17.4% drop in anti-social behaviour for 2023/2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, with reported incidents falling from 590 to 489, the lowest since recording began a decade ago.

The operation aims to reassure the community and take swift action to prevent disorderly incidents during spells of warm weather.

As in previous years, Operation Coastwatch includes extra foot patrols, preventative work at Metros to disrupt and stop any disorder before it reaches communities, and beach wardens to monitor coastal activity.

Council staff patrol the beaches to monitor against litter and antisocial behaviour and the community and public space protection team will work alongside Northumbria Police colleagues to provide reassurance to local people.

Neighbourhood Inspector Michael Hood, of Northumbria

Police, said: “We know that the anti-social behaviour of a few can have a detrimental impact on our communities – and that’s why we run dedicated operations with our partners all year round to minimise incidents and tackle any disorder head-on.

“In North Tyneside specifically, we will be relaunching the very successful Operation Maple which reaped some fantastic results previously.

“This sees uniformed and plain-clothed officers riding the Metro network during busy periods in our coastal areas to provide a visible policing presence, offering reassurance to the public and swiftly dealing with any pockets of disorder.”