Council joins forces to keep coast trouble-free

NORTH Tyneside Council has joined forces with Northumbria Police and Nexus to tackle anti-social behaviour during the busy summer months. The long-running Operation Coastwatch scheme is returning to address the public's concerns about behaviour on the North East coastline.

- OWEN YOUNGER

This involves extra foot patrols, beach wardens, and the deployment of mobile CCTV to reassure local people and visitors, and keep the coast safe and welcoming for all. Police officers and the council's Community Protection Team will put a particular focus on Tynemouth Longsands beach, near the boardwalk, where large groups of young people have been gathering on weekend evenings.

Despite most of these gatherings being good-natured, recent weeks have seen incidents involving alcohol, anti-social behaviour and deliberate fire-setting, resulting in call-outs for the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. Now, high-visibility patrols will take place at peak times, and mobile CCTV will be deployed to Longsands, with 360-degree cameras to keep an eye on the beach. Staff will be able to use dispersal powers to manage large crowds, and will engage with young people to help prevent further incidents.