AN alcohol and barbecue ban is being considered at a North Yorkshire beauty spot that has been inundated with visitors littering and disrespecting the area over recent weekends.
The hot weather over recent weekends has led to huge waves of day-trippers flocking to Richmond and its popular riverside and waterfall areas.
Last weekend the Royal Military Police were drafted in alongside North Yorkshire Police officers and council security workers in a bid to stem the tide of people and cut out the associated problems.
- Praise for Richmond youngsters who led Falls clean-up
Residents have complained of huge piles of rubbish being left behind by visitors as well as allegations of drug-taking and drinking marring the enjoyment of the beauty spot for responsible visitors.
Litter left behind by visitors
Others complained of irresponsible parking in residential streets and people urinating in public, leaving passageways smelling foul.
Now options to ban alcohol consumption and barbecues are being pursued by Richmondshire District Council as part of a campaign to tackle such anti-social behaviour.
This weekend closed circuit cameras will be trained on to Richmond Falls to record activity, particularly by large groups of people.
A task group made up of representatives from Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire County Council and councillors from both the district and county council, have also agreed that a long term solution is needed to protect the area.
Last weekend officers controlled access to the Falls by groups of young people and anyone who was seen to be carrying alcohol with them.
They dealt with parking issues and inconsiderate parking via road management and traffic enforcement.
Residents bagged up piles of litter
Councillor Helen Grant is the deputy leader of Richmondshire District Council and the spokesperson for community safety.
Speaking on behalf of the task group she said: “We must protect this area from recent abuse and anti-social behaviour.
“A minority are spoiling it for the majority and we must take action.
"That will involve banning alcohol and the cooking of food and deploying cameras to record activity there.
"And we will look at the options to actively intervene during the forthcoming August bank holiday.
“We will not tolerate the behaviour we saw from these groups of people – we are working to protect our beauty spot for local residents and visitors who want to treat it with respect, not as a party spot.”
Cllr Grant said the council will now look at the actions needed to ban alcohol and from barbecues being taken to the site.
Social distancing was not being adhered at Richmond Falls
They will also look at increasing social media exposure around the dangers of alcohol and drugs, particularly in relation to large social gatherings.
And it will work with other partners – including North Yorkshire County Council - to explore the implementation of a residents parking scheme around Sleegill, Bridge Terrace and The Green.
Cllr Grant added that the situation at Richmond Falls will continue to be reviewed.
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