End-of-term chaos at Cornwall holiday hotspot: Police ban gatherings after hundreds of private school pupils swarm beach for boozy parties

Published: 13:35, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 13:48, 10 July 2026 A Cornish holiday hotspot has been engulfed by chaos as private school pupils descend on beaches for boozy end-of-term parties.  Hundreds of teenagers, whom residents say have come from nearby private schools, gathered on Polzeath beach this week where they reportedly drank excessive amounts of alcohol, smashed glasses and had sex. The disturbance from the school children has become such a nuisance for residents that Devon and Cornwall Police took the unusual step of issuing a dispersal order to prevent any further gatherings. Dispersal orders are usually reserved for major anti-social incidents such as protests or riots. As recently as last month, police in Oxford were granted the power to introduce dispersal orders to disrupt a Tommy Robinson protest. It came into force on July 8 and is due to expire today but the force have made clear it might be extended should the disturbance continue. The order comes after youths became hostile towards beach ranger and ex-cop Andy Stewart, 55, on Tuesday night.  Mr Stewart became the area's first beach ranger in 2019 and has been trying to tackle the ongoing problem through prevention and education. Meanwhile, residents have taken to social media to voice their complaints about the children - who they claimed were drunk in public and leaving litter strewn across the beach.  A large group of teenagers gathered on Polzeath beach this week where they reportedly drank excessive amounts of alcohol, smashed glasses and had sex Piles of litter on Polzeath beach after hundreds of teenagers descended on the beach  On Facebook, Sarah Myford said her son was left horrified after he saw groups of drunken teenagers in a local bar. Holidaymaker Nick Stubbs said: 'We walked across the beach through the 200 plus kids, two of whom were engaging in a sexual act.' He also claimed that he was told off by a police officer one evening this week 'for using a swear word in a private conversation with my partner as we were walking back to my digs'.  Guy Taylor, co-owner of Surfside rum bar and restaurant, spends over £17,000 on security during the first two weeks of July.  He said teenagers in previous years stole furniture from his business and set it on fire and then raided his cellar for booze. 'We just wish people would discipline their own kids. I just don't understand why people think it's a good idea to drop a teenager off at the beach with a bottle of rosé and let them get intoxicated by the ocean. It's a dangerous place,' he told The Times. Mr Taylor believes the heatwave has played a part in the increased trouble this year. He continued: 'Last year was wet and they couldn't be bothered. I think the warm weather and the football has just made them a bit giddy. Normally you say 'off you go' and they trot off, but this year they seem to be pushing the boundaries.' Pictured: A police dispersal order introduced in Polzeath following the disturbance caused by the private school pupils enjoying the end-of-term  Polzeath is a popular holiday hotspot with famous faces including Gordon Ramsey and former Prime Minister David Cameron  Inspector Adam Stonehill from Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'We are not here to spoil summer fun for young people and those who behave respectfully and just want to meet up with their mates are not a problem.  'However, the behaviour of a few is detrimental to all and we must consider the wellbeing of everyone in the locality, our local community and, in particular, those who reside and have businesses in Polzeath. 'We have been maintaining a high visibility presence in the town due to the known sudden increase of holidaymakers to the locality which happens annually. In direct correlation, there has been an increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour in the evenings.  'These can be directly linked to the teenagers gathering on the beach in the evening. On Tuesday night (7 July) the Beach Ranger asked some youngsters from a large group to leave the area and the atmosphere changed to reflect some hostility. This behaviour continued in an anti-social manner and it will not be tolerated.'