Police are urging parents to have “conversations” with their children after seeing up to 300 youths, many intoxicated, gathered at the sand dunes at Hayle for pre-arranged gatherings.

Camborne and Redruth police say over recent weekends and during half term they had seen around 300 youths congregating on the sand dunes at Hayle Beach.

They said they knew that young people were coming from all over the county to meet up, often using the trains and the buses to attend pre-arranged gatherings which are shared on social media.

In a post on Facebook the police said: “It has come to our attention that many of the parents are unaware of the scale of the gatherings and the associated risks.

“Please can I urge you to have conversations with your children around the identified dangers and putting themselves in vulnerable situations to actively discourage this behaviour as well as ensuring that you know their whereabouts.”

They said there had been substance and alcohol misuse, criminal damage to property and vehicles, as well as nuisance and anti-social behaviour taking place.

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People had been found intoxicated in vulnerable situations which they said was a cause for concern bearing in mind the coastline and other associated factors. They said there is also an increased risk of sexual assaults and violence.

“Whilst we appreciate the young people within our communities need to have a place to go and be with their friends, the behaviour described will not be tolerated and we will look to take positive action which may include prosecution and the anti-social behaviour system, in order to prevent reoffending and reimburse those who are affected,” they said. “We will also confiscate alcohol and utilise dispersal powers to move people on.

“We are working closely with our local schools in order to raise awareness and promote safety and I would really appreciate your support and assistance with this matter.”