Famous UK seaside resort rolls out mass walkie-talkie scheme to crack down on drunk tourists sparking chaos
MAKING WAVES Famous UK seaside resort rolls out mass walkie-talkie scheme to crack down on drunk tourists sparking chaos
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A FAMOUS British seaside resort is rolling out a walkie-talkie scheme to crack down on its high rates of antisocial behaviour.
A network of 100 walkie-talkies will be give out to beach lifeguards, shop owners, businesses, pubs, CCTV operators and police to use, with hopes of improving safety in the area.
5
The Cornish town has been struggling with anti-social and boozy behaviour
Credit: SWNS
5
The network of walkie-talkies will be rolled out to lifeguards on beaches like Fistral
Credit: SWNS
5
Charlie Hester is the owner of Clover Club in Newquay who is among the shop and business owners who have also been given walkie-talkies
Credit: SWNS
Drunk tourists and shoplifting have become a significant issue in the town of Newquay in Cornwall.
Known for some of the country's most beautiful beaches, it has become a popular resort and one of the most visited coastal town's in the UK.
It has subsequently become troubled, with its beaches being used all year round.
Use of walkie-talkies will therefore enable people to easily stay in touch if potential problems arise, and thereby prevent the spread of troublemakers.
Alcohol-related problems have become particularly common in Newquay, such as under age drinking or rowdy stag dos.
This kind of anti-social behaviour and low level crime is something Newquay's Business Improvement District (BID) hopes to combat, along with the police and crime commission.
Newquay BID manager, Mark Warren, said: "This could literally be someone causing a problem at the beach and heading to the high street.
''If anybody is being silly or dangerous we would be aware of them rather than it being too late.
"We can link between the shops any ASB (antisocial behaviour) and we can link in anything related to low level crime."
Implementation of the walkie-talkies is not intended to replace calling 999 or 111, but aim to make businesses feel safer.
The 'other' Newquay beach that won't be overrun with tourists this summer
Mr Warren added: "It is more of a family town, a wellbeing place. But on top of that I want to make sure it is a very safe place."
"It is an umbrella approach to the town. We have got a clear safety business that are in communication with each other. We have got a safety blanket that we can utilise."
The new walkie-talkies come in addition to 80 that have already been distributed to shops and pubs in the town.
Charlotte Larkin runs The Pet Centre, a family business that have now been using the walkie-talkies for a year.
She has witnessed how the new system has helped minimise the problem of shoplifting from businesses and the town in the area.
Charlotte said: "It has been very helpful.
"Even if we see someone who is prolific we will let the shops know.
"As soon as they know they have been watched they won't try it."
Staff at The Pet Centre generally use the walkie-talkies at least twice a week to warn businesses of shoplifters, which Charlotte considers have made a good difference in the community.
"We had a shoplifter a couple weeks ago and we posted it on the Newquay pages and within a couple of days the guy came in and paid his bill."
She added: "It opens up communication where you wouldn't really have it. It makes it safe. It is a good solid community down here."
The Fistral Surf School is another business that has been given a walkie-talkie.
Its manager, Jenny Brian, said: "They are a good initiative to have in Newquay and it is a good way to communicate with businesses especially on anti-social behaviour.
"We haven't had any problems with it but it is a busy town so it is good to have procedures in place."
Cornwall Council has been contacted for comment.
5
Charlotte Larkin at The Pet Centre in Newquay has seen the benefits of the walkie-talkies this past year
Credit: SWNS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Drug dealers arrested at Spanish holiday hotspot where Jay Slater partied
The drug ring targeted sun-seeking British tourists in the Canary Islands, with dealers pretending to sell sunglasses, watches, and souvenirs while also offering dangerous drugs Spanish police have cracked down on a major drug syndicate targeting British holidaymakers in the Canary Islands, with street vendors doubling as dealers offering crack cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, and designer drugs to tourists. In a sweeping raid, 55 individuals were apprehended across various sites in Tenerife, the archipelago's most frequented spot by sun-loving Brits, in a collaborative sting by National Police and local forces. The operation was sparked by the discovery of a common ploy used by the traffickers, who feigned selling sunglasses, watches, and trinkets while stashing illicit substances in public spots like benches and foliage, a tactic designed to evade capture with drugs in their possession. One key area under surveillance during the police action was the notorious Las Veronicas strip in Playa de las Americas, the same locale where 19-year-old British lad Jay Slater had his last night out before his tragic death in June 2024. At the inquest for the Lancashire youngster, Dr Stephanie Martin, a toxicologist, reported finding cocaine, ecstasy, and ketamine in his system post-mortem. A drug dealer, previously convicted, who accompanied Jay that fateful evening confessed to the Preston coroner that the teen had "popped a pill" and "had a bit of sniff" prior to his ill-fated trek through a perilous national park. The Canarian Weekly has reported that all 55 men, aged between 25 and 40, who were arrested in Tenerife for allegedly peddling drugs to tourists, have prior convictions for drug-related offences. The arrests took place from April to July during a focused operation in areas frequented by holidaymakers. In total, the Canarian revealed that the investigation removed the following from circulation: 29 doses of crack, 22 doses of MDMA, 38 doses of cocaine, 10 doses of ketamine, 56 ecstasy tablets, 18 packets of hashish, and 114 single doses of marijuana. Spanish authorities stated that these dealers primarily targeted young British tourists on beaches and in popular party locations, with numerous arrests also occurring along Tenerife's Fañabé seafront and Avenida España. They further noted that this operation was designed to safeguard residents, tourists, and the island's reputation as a secure destination for British holidaymakers.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's airports ranked as Edinburgh and Glasgow miss out on top spot
Five of the country's top airports have been listed from worst to best. Scotland's major airports have been ranked from best to worst. Coming in at number one on the list is one of the country's smallest international airports. On Wednesday, August 13, The Telegraph shared a list of "Britain's 30 biggest airports ranked from worst to best". In the roundup, five Scottish airports are named. Coming in at number one for Scotland on The Telegraph's roundup is Inverness Airport. The airport is situated at Dalcross, around eight miles out of the Capital of the Highlands. The Telegraph assigned Inverness Airport an overall score of 817 based on almost 40 metrics. Among these are: number of destinations served; distance to the city centre; on-time percentage; cancellation percentage; performance in the annual Which? UK airports survey; and the average Google review score. According to the newspaper, Inverness Airport earned high scores due to its lack of a drop-off fee, unlimited free Wi-Fi, and parking prices that are "the fourth cheapest on the British mainland". It was also noted for its overall Google review rating of 4.1 out of five and its title of the 'Best Airport in Europe with less than two million passengers', according to the Airports Council International. The Telegraph wrote: "Pitched in a spectacular location on the edge of the Moray Firth, Inverness has perfected the equation for smallness and simplicity. It welcomed just short of 800,000 passengers in 2024; the only airport in this top 10 not to break the million-mark. "Yes, it has year-round flights to just one other country (the Netherlands), but with a solid cancellation rate (1.8 per cent; 39 points), there is a good chance that you will actually land in Amsterdam. Smallness also translates into amenities that bigger airports do not tend to provide." Following in second place for Scotland on The Telegraph's list is Aberdeen International Airport. The airport, which can be found in the Dyce suburb of Aberdeen, received an overall score of 816. Aberdeen International Airport has around 2.3 annual passengers and a cancellation rate of 2.71 per cent according to the newspaper. Meanwhile, 75.1 per cent of flights at the airport were found to be on time and its average Google review score is 3.6 out of five. The newspaper wrote: "An impressive 75 per cent of Aberdeen's flights were on time in 2024 (66 points), the fifth best statistic overall—even if its ratio of cancelled flights in the same period (1,646 in total, at a rate of 2.7 per cent) was less laudable. It also loses ground in lacking a rail link to the city centre (a 15-point penalty). "But if you are going to find yourself stranded at a British airport, Aberdeen would be a good 'choice'; it can boast seven four-star hotels within a two-mile radius (26 points), and the cheapest room rate of any British airport within that bracket (£55; 30 points)." In third place on The Telegraph's roundup is Edinburgh Airport, earning an overall score of 780. The biggest airport in Scotland, it serves around 15.7 million passengers per year. Rounding out the top five for Scotland on the newspaper's roundup are Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Prestwick, in fourth and fifth place respectively. The former received a score of 758, while the latter earned a score of 623. The full list of Britain's 30 biggest airports ranked from worst to best can be found on The Telegraph website. Scotland's best airports Inverness Aberdeen International Edinburgh Glasgow Glasgow Prestwick
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I live in Spain and Brits needs to be careful about the sangria they're drinking'
Spain continues to be a favourite getaway destination for countless Brits, with the temptation of soaking up sunshine whilst enjoying sangria proving irresistible. However, a Spanish resident has turned to Reddit to deliver a stark caution to holidaymakers about a possible trap. The Reddit user 'Delde116' shared a warning message: " Sangria. This is a tourist trap, originally created by some British folk (the same way chicken tikka masala was invented by a Scotsman." They clarified that the authentic and traditional beverage is 'tinto de verano', which varies considerably as it's crafted with genuine wine and lemon. In other travel news, British passport holders are urged to do one important thing before October 12. The user added: "Sangria is a soda like Coca-Cola and Fanta, so imagine going to Spain and paying 10€ (£8.64) for a jar of Fanta. This happens everywhere in Spain." Across Spain, the subject of sangria can provoke heated discussion. Whilst some residents regard it as a symbol of Spanish heritage, others reject it as a tourist snare. Tinto de Verano, a sangria variant preferred by locals, typically comes at a more affordable price, reports the Express. The Spanish local added: "Spanish cuisine is regional and paella is a regional dish, not a national dish. If you want to eat paella for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you have to go to Valencia. You can find 'paella' in cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, but it is a tourist trap and unironically it is 99 percent microwaveable yellow rice, it looks gross." They noted that while genuine paella spots do exist outside Valencia, they're not a doddle to find, being hidden treasures typically unearthed through local tips. While many holidaymakers may consider paella to be Spain's national dish, it hails from the Valencian region. Spanish cuisine varies significantly across the country, and the food tastes amazing wherever you go. Seville is famed for its claim to have invented tapas, while octopus is a favourite dish in Galicia. In San Sebastian, bars are celebrated for serving pintxos, small nibbles topped with a variety of ingredients. Gazpacho, a chilled soup perfect for balmy weather, is believed to have originated in Andalusia. For wine aficionados, a Spanish local recommends making a beeline for the La Rioja region, located north of Madrid.
