'Rowdy teens chuck our cafe tables down the beach'
Longsands Surf SchoolBusinesses say they are grappling with increased levels of anti-social behaviour as more teenagers head to the beach in the warmer weather.
Hundreds of young people are thought to have travelled to Longsands beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, over the bank holiday weekend, with four people arrested on Friday in connection with reports of disorder, Northumbria Police said.
The force said a "minority" were causing a disturbance, but it would continue to send officers to patrol the area as part of its Operation Coastwatch.
Crusoe's Cafe manager Sharron Ratcliffe said: "They vandalise the property and abuse the staff - it's costly and not good for business."
She said the past two years had been the "worst ever" for the business, with teenagers throwing cans at staff when they were asked to leave the cafe's outdoor seating area, and their tables being "chucked onto the beach".
Another business owner, who did not want to be named, said litter was left covering the beach, including alcohol cans and bottles which resulted in broken glass.
"It's unfortunate it becomes a drinking space for those kids, because there are plenty of nice kids who come and meet here," she said.
'People being attacked'
Longsands Surf School owner Barry Henderson said he saw more than 1,000 people on the beach over the weekend and believes its popularity has grown due to social media.
He said some days "you can cut the atmosphere with a knife" and he closed his business early.
"We've had wetsuits taken and people trying to steal boards, we've seen people throwing bikes into the sea, and people being attacked on the beach," he said.
However, he said most of the time he was able to reach young people by talking to them.
"If they say they're going to nick a surfboard, we say they can borrow one and if they want to get into surfing then we'll help - there's a very small minority we can't get through to," he said.
He also said the police patrols had helped improve the situation.
A video circulating social media appears to show the aftermath of a fire started on the beach's dunes, but the footage is thought to be from more than a year ago.
A police spokesperson said: "A minority of those present have been sighted causing a disturbance in the wider community, and in the past have set fires to items or in the dunes."
Over the weekend, they said officers "carried out stop and search activity, as well as issuing dispersal notices and taking some of the young people home".
"An investigation is under way to identify any of the young people who have been involved in recent criminality, and increased patrol activity will continue," they said.
