The Cornish coastal village of Polzeath has been overwhelmed by disorder after hundreds of teenagers, said by residents to be pupils from nearby private schools, gathered on its beach this week for end-of-term parties. The youngsters reportedly drank heavily, smashed glasses and engaged in sexual activity, prompting Devon and Cornwall Police to issue a dispersal order to prevent further gatherings. The move is notable because such orders are usually reserved for serious anti-social incidents such as protests or riots, underlining the scale of local concern.

The dispersal order came into force on 8 July and was due to expire on the day of publication, though police indicated it could be extended if disturbances continued. The action followed an incident on the Tuesday night in which youths became hostile towards Andy Stewart, 55, a former police officer who has served as the area's beach ranger since 2019 and has tried to address the problem through prevention and education. For context, the report notes that police in Oxford were granted similar dispersal powers only last month to disrupt a Tommy Robinson protest, while affected residents have taken to social media to air their complaints.