Police promise crack down if pier behaviour gets worse

THE antisocial behaviour of rival pleasure boat operators and other marine businesses in Falmouth has impacted the public, who have witnessed verbal and physical threats.

- by LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

That was what a police officer told a meeting of Cornwall Harbours Board last Thursday when it issued eight permits to businesses to ply for trade from Prince of Wales Pier and Fish Strand Quay over the next financial year.

Prince of Wales Pier is a maritime transport hub for a number of passenger tripping boats, ferries, fishing trips and harbour cruises. There has long been bad feeling between rival operators, which has led to criminal investigations.

The decision in previous years to not issue permits to two applicants has resulted in less antisocial activity being recorded on the pier, which, coupled with other initiatives such as the use of bodycams worn by the pier master and a seasonal assistant, has meant that less time has been spent on dealing with “petty complaints, threats and intimidation”.