Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall

In the early hours of Friday morning, Dan Rogerson, MP for North Cornwall, accompanied Sergeant Robin Hogg of Wadebridge Police on a walkabout in Polzeath, before speaking to residents about the growing number of young people descending on the village's beaches during the summer months.

Local people have been increasingly concerned by anti-social behaviour on the part of underage youths, drinking and urinating on the beaches.  Police, having succeeded in ceasing such behaviour on the poorly lit beaches at Rock and Daymer Bay, are now containing the problem in Polzeath.

Following the village walkabout, Mr Rogerson commented, "The police are doing an excellent job here ? at managing the problem ? but in the longer term, we must tackle its existence head on.  A small village like this simply isn?t set up to accommodate the numbers of young people we?re seeing.  Local residents say there can be up to 500 people a night.  This dwarfs the village's population."

The local MP is calling on those supplying holiday accommodation to adopt an over 18s only policy and to favour families when letting their properties.  "The tourist industry is vital," Mr Rogerson continued, "but large groups of people causing a great mess and disturbance both to local people and to those trying to have a peaceful holiday here can only detract from what is otherwise a beautiful place."

Mr Rogerson was quick, too, to congratulate local people and North Cornwall District Council on playing their part in managing the difficulties in Polzeath.  "Local residents tell me that the litter is being cleared efficiently every morning.  People here are mucking in to help the Council do its job too, but of course they should never be subject to this deluge of waste in the first place."

"All those who holiday in Cornwall come to enjoy the extensive natural beauty, along with our unspoiled villages.  But people must remember that Cornwall is not itself a holiday park.  People live and work here and their environment must be respected.  In particular, I would urge those who own second homes here not to let their children ? and large numbers of their friends ? come here unsupervised.  It simply isn't fair.

Notes to Editors
Dan Rogerson was accompanied on his walkabout by Mark Hall, Chief Executive of North Cornwall District Council.