Polzeath, a popular Cornish coastal village frequented by affluent families and second homeowners, is facing ongoing challenges with antisocial behavior among groups of teenagers during the summer holiday period. Local business owners and authorities have responded with increased security measures and policing efforts amid reports of noise disturbances, vandalism, and underage drinking.

Guy Taylor, co-owner of the Surfside rum bar and restaurant in Polzeath, has spent over £17,000 on additional security during the first two weeks of July. His staff have confiscated more than 100 fake IDs used by underage drinkers. To address the late-night hostility and safety concerns, Taylor has hired male security guards to support his two female team members. The heightened tensions follow reports of teenagers stealing and damaging furniture, lighting bonfires, and attempting to break into the bar's cellars to obtain alcohol.

Local police have issued a dispersal order covering Polzeath beach and its immediate surroundings in response to repeated disturbances. The order empowers officers to direct individuals to leave the area and bars their return for up to 48 hours. Police also retain authority under a public spaces protection order to confiscate alcohol and issue fines for noncompliance. The dispersal order was introduced after a beach ranger encountered hostility when requesting a large group to disperse late one evening.

Inspector Adam Stonehill emphasized that the measures are not intended to spoil the summer experience but to protect the wellbeing of residents and businesses. He noted that most young people behave respectfully when socializing but acknowledged that disruptive actions by some have had a negative impact on the community.

The beach ranger program was established in 2019 with Andy Stewart, a retired Devon & Cornwall police officer, appointed as the first beach ranger. Stewart and the local community have sought to address issues through prevention and education, with additional nighttime patrols funded by residents. Infrared CCTV cameras installed in 2023 have been credited with helping to manage the situation.

While community efforts have made some progress, business owners like Taylor and co-owner Tom Bailhache have expressed frustration at having to shoulder security responsibilities. Bailhache said interventions had improved conditions but found it "annoying" that local businesses bear much of the burden. Taylor called on parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s behavior, criticizing those who allow teenagers to consume alcohol unsupervised on the beach. He attributed some of the recent increase in disruptions to this year’s heatwave and the concurrent football season, noting that warmer weather has emboldened young people to push boundaries more than in previous, wetter summers.