Residents of Waterloo have described the "horrendous" scenes that unfold when warm weather draws crowds to Crosby Beach. Last month, Merseyside Police enforced a dispersal zone covering Crosby, Blundellsands, and the full length of Crosby Beach following a series of anti-social behaviour incidents.
On the May bank holiday Monday (May 25), police responded to a disturbance near the boating lake in Waterloo, resulting in a 19-year-old woman being taken to hospital with a graze to her head. The Liverpool Echo also reported on a community feeling "under siege" with "absolute bedlam," as one reader mentioned "thousands of teens" in the area, along with "drugs, booze" and trains cancelling or not stopping at Waterloo station.
Sefton Council acknowledged that residents "had to deal with the lack of respect shown by some individuals" and confirmed that "a number of anti-social behaviour incidents occurred over the bank holiday weekend, both in Crosby and elsewhere."
With another hot weekend approaching—Sunday is forecast to be sunny with highs of 25°C—locals told the Echo the area becomes "horrendous" and "like Magaluf" when the sun appears.
Local Business Owners Speak Out
Jonty Bonner, 42, owner of Marina Carpets, said: "This is a lovely place to be, but as soon as the sun comes out, it's horrendous down here. There's loads of litter and anti-social behaviour." Bonner, who has run the shop for 22 years, taking over from his father who opened it in the 1970s, added: "I think the area has improved massively in the last two decades. It's got so much better."
Jake Foulder, 35, landlord of the Marine pub—the closest Waterloo pub to the front—said: "It's like Magaluf when the sun is out. There are always loads of people, it's so busy, so we wouldn't have known anything was going on if it wasn't for all the police cars. They're not coming in here and causing trouble, but I live upstairs and I can hear them at night. But they're just being kids. They're not coming down and kicking the cars in, they're just being loud."
Foulder added: "They're not doing any real harm, but it does keep locals away though. People living around here won't come out when it's like that." He noted that the dispersal zone announced by police worked effectively and expressed a desire for it to be in place every time.
Police Response and Dispersal Zone
A dispersal zone grants police officers the authority to direct individuals to leave an area if they are engaging in or likely to become involved in anti-social behaviour, with a ban on returning for up to 48 hours. Merseyside Police is preparing a response for the upcoming weekend, with a "highly-visible police presence" planned, including foot patrols, officers on quad bikes, and a 4x4 police vehicle patrolling the beach front and surrounding area.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Dave Uren said: "We will have a highly visible police presence in the area to robustly deal with any issues and provide reassurance to residents. This includes foot patrols, officers on quad bikes and 4x4 police vehicle patrolling the beach front and surrounding area. There is also a policing plan in place, and we will proactively use crime prevention tools should we need to act to restore order in the area."
Uren continued: "Most young people behave responsibly, but sadly a minority of youths are being disruptive. We don't want to arrest or criminalise a young person, but formal action will be taken if we need to. Uniformed police will be in the neighbourhood so residents can speak to officers with any concerns they may have. If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action."
Residents' Concerns
Stacey Baker, 48, from Litherland, said: "It's happening everywhere. I'm a bit wary of going on the beach when it's sunny because of the kids. Just wait for the summer holidays. It will be worse. We have stopped coming down here during the summer holidays with the grandchildren."
Adrian Cucu, 38, also from Litherland, remarked: "It's not just the kids, fully-grown adults are causing problems too, leaving litter and barbecues, there's rubbish left everywhere. This is meant to be a relaxing place."
Joyce Cleary, 75, from Bootle, a frequent visitor to Crosby Beach who values walks there for her mental wellbeing, said: "Kids nowadays don't socialise the way they used to, and they don't mix with other generations. They're missing a chance to learn from them."
Les Melton, 56, who has lived in the area his whole life, noted: "It [large groups of teenagers congregating on the beach] didn't happen when I was a kid."
Council and Police Statements
In May, a Sefton Council spokesperson stated: "Anti-social behaviour on our streets is not tolerated. Unfortunately, Sefton residents have had to deal with the lack of respect shown by some individuals. The safety and wellbeing of residents is a priority for Sefton Council. We will continue to work closely with the police and local partners to address nuisance behaviour in Crosby and the surrounding area. We are aware that a number of anti-social behaviour incidents occurred over the bank holiday weekend, both in Crosby and elsewhere. We welcome visitors to our coast but ask that they act responsibly and show consideration to residents who live here all year round. If you experience anti-social behaviour call Merseyside Police on 101. In an emergency always dial 999. Alternatively, you can find more information on our website, where you can fill out a form to report an incident of anti-social behaviour, to do this please visit Sefton Council's website at www.sefton.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour."
A Merseyside Police spokesperson added: "Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour in their area should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999."
