Weekend disorder at South Shields beach sees teenager arrested on suspicion of assaulting man with bottle
Disturbances over bank holiday Monday saw one person arrested and another three hospitalised.
Disorder at a South Tyneside beach over the bank holiday weekend saw one person arrested while multiple people needed hospital treatment.
Crowds gathered throughout the weekend to enjoy the heatwave which is currently engulfing the UK with multiple incidents taking place on bank holiday Monday.
Hundreds of people took to coastal areas across the borough, including Sandhaven Beach in South Shields where emergency services were called following incidents including groups of young people in an altercation on the beach.
One of these saw a 14 year old arrested on suspicion of assault after a 30 year old was injured by a bottle.
Temperatures in South Tyneside peaked on Monday, May 25 when conditions hit 28°C in South Shields.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 3.55pm on Monday (May 25), we received a report of a disturbance via the Coastguard on Sandhaven Beach in South Shields.
“Officers attended the area where it was reported a 12-year-old girl had been involved in a verbal disagreement with a woman.
“It was understood that the woman had then attempted to forcibly take a necklace from the girl’s neck, causing alarm.
“While in attendance, we were also made aware of a separate disturbance near to the dunes where a man – aged in his 30s – had been assaulted with a bottle.
“The man was taken to hospital to be checked over with minor injuries, and a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“He has since been released under investigation, while enquiries continue into both incidents.”
The force added: Later on, shortly before 8.40pm, we received a report of a disturbance near to Sea Road in South Shields.
“It was reported that a large group of young people had gathered on the beach, and that two boys present had been involved in a brief altercation.
“Officers attended the area where no criminal offences were made out and no injuries were reported, and the group were dispersed.
“Patrol activity continued throughout the weekend working together with partners to keep people safe and identify any pockets of disorder.
“The weekend itself largely passed without any incident, despite heavy footfall in the town from residents and visitors alike.
"Anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak with an officer on duty.”
Police cars remained near the site throughout Tuesday.
In addition to the three day weekend, the bank holiday also marked the start of the final half term break of the academic year for many school students and staff across South Tyneside.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We received a call at 4.10pm on Monday, May 25 to reports of an incident at South Shields beach. We dispatched five ambulance crews, a duty officer, a clinical team leader, and four crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.
“Three patients were transported to hospital for further treatment and another was treated and discharged on-scene.”
The day recorded the warmest May day ever in the UK, with temperatures reaching 34.8°C in London. Met Office data shows the 28°C experienced in South Shields matches the warmest conditions found across the wider North East throughout the day.