POLICE issued a warning to teenagers gathering at Dawlish Warren beach for the second weekend running.

On Saturday night, a dispersal order was authorised following reports of what police described as a ‘large gathering of youths at Dawlish Warren beach and ongoing calls in relation to anti-social behaviour’.

The dispersal order remained in force until 7.22pm on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: ‘A request is made for parents of children in their teens to be aware of their location and to dissuade attendance.’

This was the second weekend groups of young people headed to the Warren.

It is understood many of them arrived at the beach by train.

A dispersal order gives police powers to break up groups and force individuals causing anti-social behaviour or crime to leave a designated area and prohibit them from returning for up to 48 hours,

The previous weekend up to 50 teenagers were reported to have caused trouble at the Warren and in Dawlish town centre.

Residents described the youngsters as being drunk and fighting and there were incidents of anti-social behaviour.

While there were some comments that it was youngsters letting off steam following exams, one Dawlish resident said: ‘If it’s the same teens as last Saturday, they were causing havoc, walking out in front of cars, fighting in the road, sitting on the edge of the train tracks.’

The previous weekend, there had been an incident of a man assault outside a take away in Dawlish which police said was linked to the large gathering of youths at Dawlish Warren.

At the time, the force said in a post on Facebook: ‘We recognise that young people want to socialise and enjoy themselves; however, it is important this is done in a safe and responsible manner.

'Officers engaged positively with those present, resulting in constructive interactions.

'While the majority of people were cooperative and respectful, a large number of alcohol seizures were made.

‘Our primary concern was the safety of the public, particularly given the number of young people present, with many being under the influence of alcohol, on a beach with the tide coming in.

‘Our clear aim was to safeguard those present and ensure everyone was able to leave the area safely.’

A dispersal order was also put in place that weekend.

Witnesses had reported the large group of teenagers, estimated to be aged 14 to 16, ‘hanging out’ at the Warren.

One described: ‘There were so many groups of drunk teenagers, throwing litter and falling over.’

Another said: ‘I witnessed drunk teenagers be intimidating to people just trying to walk past.

‘They were also running across the road frequently, the amount of cars that had to suddenly stop.’

There were reports of girls fighting, shouting abuse at passersby and a further fight involving dozens of teenagers seen near the fun fair.