Police officers seized alcohol and disposable BBQs, arrested five suspected drug dealers, issued tickets for obstructive parking and put out eight fires on Formby Beach last night.
It follows a weekend which saw thousands of people visit beaches in Southport, Formby and Ainsdale, where they left mountains of litter including beer bottles, food cartons and bags of rubbish.
Yesterday officers from the Local Policing Team in company with Targeted and Roads Policing Officers helped National Trust staff with managing traffic at the entrance to Formby Beach at Victoria Road.
A spokesman said: “Officers spoke to beach goers, informing them of the Public Space Protection Order that bans alcohol from the beach and some other areas, and also intervened to prevent multiple barbecues being taken onto the beach, which are also not allowed on Sefton beaches.
“PCSOs issued nine fixed penalty notices for cars parked obstructing pavements, where the obstruction would force anyone with a wheelchair or double buggy to walk into the road. These tickets were in addition to multiple tickets issued by the local Council for yellow line offences.
“Despite the barbecues that were prevented from being taken onto the beach, officers extinguished eight fires on Formby beach last night.
“Five men from Greater Manchester area were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class ‘A’ drugs and more were found in possession of other drugs, along with multiple seizures of alcohol.
“A group of men carrying sound equipment and barbecues were diverted away from the beach.”
An Inspector of Local Policing for North Sefton said: “We will continue to work with Sefton Council, the National Trust, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and other services to manage issues around the beach and other areas, during this easing of the lockdown period”
“If you do travel to our beaches in Sefton, please ensure you take all rubbish away with you.”
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