Police launch crackdown on youths gathering at disused Boldon army site

Police are preparing a crackdown on youngsters trespassing on a disused army site near East Boldon.

Officers are asking parents to collaborate with them in a campaign against anti-social behaviour at the South Tyneside site.

The message follows a number of reports of large gatherings and trespassers at the privately-owned site.

Officers have been called to the site 25 times over the last 12 months following reports that young people have been involved in drinking, including one occasion where a teenage boy was found unconscious behind a derelict bunker.

Northumbria Police will now work with South Tyneside Council and the Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service to increase patrols and share information.

Officers are now also asking parents and carers to talk to children about where they are heading and explain the dangers associated with visiting the site.

Sergeant Lee Meadows of Northumbria Police said: “We have attended various incidents in recent months involving anti-social behaviour at the former army camp – predominantly involving young people gathering with friends and drinking alcohol on the land.

“We recognise that we are talking about a minority of young people who are involved, but I would ask parents and carers to work with us as we tackle anti-social behaviour and speak to children about where they are heading, what they are doing and the potential consequences of getting mixed up in this type of activity.

“Ultimately, as we move into the summer months, we need your support to tackle anti-social behaviour at the camp and to help ensure that young people in the community are safe.

“I’d also like to remind anyone considering a visit to the site that it is private land and trespassing is a criminal offence.

“The land itself houses multiple buildings that, over the years, have deteriorated significantly and are in an extremely poor state of repair.

“Therefore, this also poses a great safety risk to those who decide to trespass with lots of glass, bricks and rubble on the land.

“We know that those who live near the camp have concerns and patrol activity will continue in the area.

"However, we would also ask members of the public to continue to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report any intelligence to police or the most appropriate agency.”