Council officials and police are set to meet to review a series of recent disorderly incidents at West Bay beach in Portrush, a popular location on the North Coast. The move follows growing concerns expressed by residents near the beach about anti-social behaviour, particularly involving groups of young people gathering there during periods of favourable weather.
According to reports highlighted in the Coleraine Chronicle, the situation escalated shortly before Easter when council-employed seasonal litter pickers faced an attack while performing their duties. Bottles were allegedly thrown at the workers as they attempted to clean the beach on Friday, 11 April, forcing them to abandon their efforts that day. This confrontation has been described by Causeway Coast and Glens Council as “extremely disappointing.”
The Chronicle has learned that the violent episode coincided with a police operation targeting drug activity in the West Bay area. In a separate statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the operation led to “a number of arrests” and resulted in the seizure of various illicit substances, including heroin, cannabis, and diazepam. It is understood that reports from local residents about alcohol misuse and particularly drug abuse prompted police intervention.
A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Council said: “Council litter pickers deployed during the last spell of warm weather, were unfortunately subjected to anti-social behaviour during the course of their work. As a result, they were unable to litter pick West Bay, Portrush on Friday 11th April - which is extremely disappointing.”
The council spokesperson added: “We would encourage all beach users to act responsibly, respect Council officers and not to leave their litter behind. Anyone caught littering will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £200.”
In light of recent events, the council confirmed ongoing collaboration with the PSNI to address these issues more effectively. The spokesperson noted that “Council will be meeting with PSNI representatives to review recent incidents in order to cooperate more effectively on matters such as littering on our beaches and anti-social behaviour.”
The PSNI has also called on the public to support efforts against drug supply, advising anyone with relevant information to contact the police on 101 and ask for their local Neighbourhood officer.
West Bay has long been a popular destination on the North Coast, appreciated by both locals and visitors alike for its natural beauty. The recent disturbances and enforcement measures highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining public order and community safety in the area.
Source: Noah Wire Services