UNDER age drinking and anti-social behaviour by a large group of young people on Teignmouth’s Back Beach has led to a dispersal order being issued by police.

The section 35 Order will be in place for the rest of the weekend police have warned.

Teignmouth police report on Facebook: ‘This evening (Friday) the Teignmouth Neighbourhood Team dealt with a large gathering of young people on the Back Beach.

‘Due to the amount of underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and the reasonable belief of further issues, a Section 35 dispersal order was authorised.

‘One young person was issued with a direction to leave and taken home.

‘Several young people assisted us and cleared up a lot of the empty bottles and litter and apologised for the behaviour of the minority who marred the evening.

‘Unfortunately, a large proportion remained in the town and caused further issues and were eventually moved on.

‘The young people were from Teignmouth, Dawlish, Newton Abbot and Torquay in what was clearly an organised event.

‘Whilst we encourage young people to enjoy where we live, it can’t be at the expense of the wider community.

‘Underage drinking, litter. broken glass and noise nuisance cannot be accepted.

‘The Section 35 dispersal order will remain in place for the rest of the weekend.’

Dispersal orders

  • Dispersal orders provide the police with the extra powers to break up groups of two or more people, where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment or distress. Dispersal orders were introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.