Beach ranger service is 'envy of Cornwall'

Councillor Carol Mould said the Polzeath beach ranger service was the "envy of Cornwall"

A beach ranger service which is helping to tackle anti-social behaviour is the "envy of Cornwall", a councillor says.

Rangers were introduced at Polzeath in 2019 and CCTV cameras captured a large gathering of people on the beach in 2023.

Cornwall councillor for Wadebridge East and St Minver, Carol Mould, said Polzeath was "doing something really positive" in curbing anti-social behaviour.

Funding for the beach ranger service is due to end in March and the parish council is looking at how to pay for the service.

St Minver Highlands Parish Council is looking at how to fund the service from March

Polzeath resident Helen Woods said people who partied on the beach made "quite a lot of noise going up and down the street" on the way to and back from the beach.

Her husband Robin Woods said: "They are welcome down here, they bring a lot of money into the local economy, but they do tend to have the view that they own the place and they are owed rather than mixing in with the rest of the community."

Tina Robinson, from Polzeath Marine Conservation Group, said she had noticed a difference since the measures were introduced and "generally it has been quieter".

"I think our CCTV is working and the ranger [service] is definitely helping...

"All our tables and chairs are anchored down but maybe that is not necessary - it has been a good summer so far."

Ms Mould added: "I think this model we have in Polzeath is the envy of Cornwall, I am sure there are lots of other beaches in Cornwall that would love to have a beach ranger service."

St Minver Highlands Parish Council is looking at how to fund the service from March.

It has been part-funded by an increase in charges at the beach car park.

However, Cornwall Council said: "Following a countywide review on parking tariffs, Cornwall Council no longer uses levies on parking charges to subsidise projects."