Chiefs clarify why night fishing is banned in South Shields riverside zones after issue erupts on Facebook

New powers to tackle antisocial behaviour in the borough came into force on May 17, with fines for those who break the rules. Anyone breaching a Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) risks a £100 fixed penalty. Failure to pay may bring criminal proceedings with a maximum fine of £1,000.

The aim is to address antisocial behaviour including street drinking, rogue biking and other trouble in South Tyneside.

In the Broad Landing and Riverside areas, pitching tents, noise, litter, setting fires, urinating, defecating and other nuisance behaviour will be subject to fines.

But fishing is now also banned in these areas between 10pm and 6am. A map highlighting the areas can be found on the council’s website.

The ban created a stir on social media, with over 200 comments being made on the Gazette’s Facebook page.

Among the comments were: “Night fishing???? I work all day .... My giddy aunt!” and “How is night fishing antisocial?”

Others taking a more wry look included: “I regularly get woken up and terrorised by gangs of wandering night fishermen ... throwing their fish at people’s doors at 2am and singing sea shanties” and “It keeps the fish awake.”

However, the council say it is no laughing matter. The areas in question are residential and chiefs say night fishing is related to other antisocial activities.

In June 2020 the Gazette reported on an increase in antisocial behaviour in the Broad Landing area. The report told of people drinking alcohol, taking drugs and causing damage to the wooden jetty, potentially placing the public at risk.

One resident of the Broad Landing apartments described a “stench of urine” on the jetty which he believed was being used as a toilet.

In January 2021 we reported that the behaviour was ongoing with council leaders describing it as “completely unacceptable” and committing to working on the issue with Northumbria Police, who said they had received a number of complaints.

This brought about the new rules, with the night fishing bans aiming to keep people away from the residential areas altogether.

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