Hundreds of bottles of booze and cannisters of 'hippy crack' were confiscated to stop revellers using a beauty spot "like an Ibiza nightclub", police have said. Large sound systems were also seized from crowds of youths who flocked to Richmond Falls, North Yorks., a picturesque series of waterfalls along the River Swale.
North Yorkshire Police said some had travelled from as far as County Durham and Middlesbrough to take part in the revelry. Officers issued dispersal orders and made one arrest, the force said.
Inspector Martin Metcalfe said: "As temperatures soared well into the 30s and hundreds congregated at Richmond Falls, my team and I took action to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour as well as all the litter and mess this leaves behind. Residents quite rightly don't want their town to be used like an Ibiza nightclub and we're doing something about it."
The force said it confiscated more than 200 bottles of beer, cider, vodka and other spirits as well as three large cannisters of nitrous oxide, known as 'hippy crack'. The colourless substance is legal in small quantities but inhaling the gas has become fashionable among young people as it is relatively cheap and provides a short-lived 'hit'.
They will all be destroyed, the force said. Seven barbecues were put out because of the dangerous hot and dry conditions on Tuesday, the force said.
Inspector Metcalfe added: “We simply will not tolerate antisocial behaviour, which is often committed by large groups who travel in from other areas and behave with no respect for the community they’re visiting. The feedback from Richmond residents yesterday was extremely positive, and while we can’t have a permanent presence in any one place I can assure residents there will be many more results like this throughout the summer.
“My message to those visiting any of North Yorkshire’s communities this summer is simple – if you can’t behave respectfully by complying with the law, we will use the laws at our disposal to ensure you do.”
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