A popular West Country's beach was turned into a 'war zone' with bins ablaze and a string of assaults. Now some visitors are too afraid to visit Gyllyngvase Beach after the disturbance.
According to Falmouth Packet, the popular Swanpool Beach Cafe was all but set on fire, after someone left a disposable barbecue in a wooden bin, while other barbecue sparked flames in other locations.
Police tweeted that they had dealt with 'lots' of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area. They said: “Do you want a criminal record? Do you want your child to be criminalised?
READ MORE: Angry tourists slam 'gross' West Country beach with 'contaminated' sea
“Speak to your child if involved or know who – this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
And the manager of local hotel Membly Hall issued a warning to officials. Bev Andrew, who claims the area was “like a warzone”, told the Daily Star: “It's not a pleasant area for visitors to take a stroll and many people have told me they find it intimidating and like a warzone, after all this is an area of outstanding beauty.
“As local planning is now not allowing hotels and guest houses to change use, this does not promote tourism.”
Police have urged witnesses to come forward. They said: “Please think before causing #ASB. We are gathering information to identify those causing problems and dealing with them appropriately. Think about the consequences!
“We will not only look at prosecution but also at bail conditions and the antisocial behaviour system to control the company of those involved, where they can go to prevent re-offending and potentially reimbursing those affected.”
And it's not the only area in Cornwall where anti-social behaving is having an impact on tourism. Newquay, in Cornwall, attracts visitors from all over the world, famed for its impressive waves and huge selection of nightlife.
But now the beauty spot faces a dangerous drug epidemic. County lines gangs reportedly flood its shores with heroin, crack, cocaine and cannabis. Devon and Cornwall Police seized 18.7kg of cocaine in the year to March 2022 – up from 16.2kg the year before - while ketamine seized rose from 0.3kg in 2021 to 1.8kg last year, Home Office figures show.
Dave Farrow, who moved from Norfolk to Newquay in 1983 and worked as a club doorman when the licensing laws changed to allow pubs to remain open into the early hours, said he has seen huge change in town.
"In those days people would often come out at 10pm or later, they’d be already drunk and wanting to party, and it would get quite messy. It was the party capital at that point and the streets were packed with groups of young people," Dave, who now runs Karma Surfboard shop, told The Sun.
"As a doorman I saw all sorts. I remember opening a toilet cubicle, the floor would be flooded in urine, but they’d be snorting cocaine and kneeling in it, because they were so out of it. Now the drug problem here is different. There are areas of Newquay which have become synonymous with drugs."
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