End-of-term chaos at Cornwall holiday hotspot: Police ban gatherings after hundreds of private school pupils swarm beach for boozy parties

A Cornish holiday destination has been thrown into chaos as private school students descend on the beaches for boozy end-of-term parties.

Hundreds of teenagers, who locals say came from nearby private schools, reportedly gathered on Polzeath beach this week, where they drank excessive amounts of alcohol, broke glasses and had sex.

The disturbance caused by schoolchildren became so disruptive to residents that Devon and Cornwall Police took the unusual step of issuing a dispersal order to prevent further gatherings.

Dispersal orders are usually issued for major anti-social events such as protests or riots. As recently as last month, Oxford police were given the power to issue dispersal orders to disrupt a Tommy Robinson protest.

The law, which came into force on July 8, is expected to expire today, but the police made it clear that the period could be extended if the disturbance continues.

The decision came after youths turned hostile towards beachkeeper and former police officer Andy Stewart, 55, on Tuesday night.

Mr Stewart became the area’s first beach ranger in 2019 and is trying to tackle the ongoing problem through prevention and education.

Meanwhile, citizens expressed their complaints about children on social media. They claimed that they were drunk in public and threw garbage on the beach.

Footage from the beach shows a large group of young people on the beach while two police officers observe them from a distance.

Piles of rubbish formed on Polzeath beach after hundreds of young people descended on the beach

Footage from the beach shows a large group of young people on the beach, with two police officers observing them from a distance.

On Facebook, Sarah Myford said her son was horrified after seeing groups of drunken teenagers at a local bar.

Holidaymaker Nick Stubbs said: ‘We walked on the beach among over 200 children, two of whom were having sex.’

He also claimed that one evening this week he was scolded by a police officer “for using an expletive in a private conversation while walking towards my digs with my partner.”

Guy Taylor, co-owner of Surfside rum bar and restaurant, spent more than £17,000 on security in the first two weeks of July.

He said in previous years, youths had stolen furniture from his business, set it on fire, and then broken into his pantry to buy alcohol.

‘I wish people would discipline their own children. I don’t understand why people think it’s a good idea to leave a teenager on the beach with a bottle of roses and let them get drunk in the ocean. “It’s a dangerous place,” he said. Times.

Mr Taylor believes the heatwave has played a part in the growing distress this year.

Images taken from the beach were shared on social media

Picture: Police order to disperse after chaos broke out in Polzeath as private school students spent the half-term break

Polzeath is a popular holiday destination with famous faces including Gordon Ramsey and former Prime Minister David Cameron

He continued: ‘Last year it was rainy and they couldn’t be bothered. I think the hot weather and football made them a little dizzy. ‘Normally you say ‘go away’ and they run but this year they seem to be pushing the limits.’

Inspector Adam Stonehill, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘We’re not here to spoil young people’s summer fun and as long as those who behave respectfully and just want to meet up with friends are fine.

‘However, the behavior of a few harms everyone and we must consider the welfare of everyone in the area, our local community and especially those who reside and have businesses in Polzeath.

‘We maintain a highly visible presence in the town due to the known spike in holidaymakers flocking to the area each year. Directly linked, there has been an increase in cases of anti-social behavior in the evenings.

‘These may be directly linked to young people gathering on the beach in the evenings. On Tuesday night, July 7, the Coast Ranger asked a large group of some youths to leave the area and the atmosphere changed to reflect some hostility. ‘This behavior has continued in an anti-social manner and will not be tolerated.’