Volunteers Face Intimidation Amidst Teen Binge Drinking

Volunteer life brigades faced a challenging bank holiday weekend, attending to multiple incidents involving intoxicated teenagers on coastal beaches.

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade responded to three separate incidents at Longsands beach, North Tyneside, where intoxicated 15-year-olds required medical assistance. Captain Peter Lilley described the volunteers' work as amazing under hot and at times intimidating conditions.

South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade reported an exceptionally busy period with 12 callouts in three hours. These included assisting intoxicated teenagers, some of whom needed to be taken to hospital for drink-related ailments.

Volunteers from both brigades noted an increase in difficult encounters with large groups of drinking youths, describing the atmosphere as unpleasant and intimidating. Similar challenges were faced by RNLI Cullercoats volunteers who reported verbal abuse and obstructions from individuals refusing to move vehicles.

Brigades responded to a range of incidents including lost children, sunstroke, and seizures, in addition to the issues involving underage drinking, underscoring the diverse and demanding nature of coastal volunteer work.